Cabin in the City

Books, cats and midwestern charm.

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What I Read // August 2022

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via Goodreads

I haven’t done six books in a month in a long time, but ’tis the season! August is always my best reading month of the year. This month’s reads were a mixed bag. Two flops and a few really good reads. Let’s get into it!

Bath Haus by P.J. Veron • ★★★★☆

You know I love a good domestic thriller, and oooh was this a twisty one!

I don’t want to give you too much up front, but here are the basics, Oliver lives with his partner, a successful doctor, in D.C. He should be happy, but isn’t quite. So he visits a gay bath house one evening and barely escapes. What he hopes is the end of that encounter, of course, is just the beginning.

Dead Lake by Darcy Coates • ★★☆☆☆

I’m not sure how I fell into the trap of reading another Darcy Coates book, but much like The Carrow Haunt which I read in 2020, I was simultaneously engaged and irritated.

I’ve had this book on my Kindle for years and finally dove in after seeing this advertised as the perfect book to read by the campfire at a bookstore. I mean, I love campfire stories, so this could be good!

And in the end, this is pretty much a campfire story and shouldn’t have gone further than that. Like the last Darcy Coates book I read, this book lacked so much detail and overlooked so many small errors. How you ask? Let me tell you!

In Dead Lake, Sam visits her uncle’s cabin to work on paintings for an upcoming art show. She’s got a week to put together a collection of oils for this major show and hasn’t started anything. Not a single thing. And it’s oils—paints that take literal weeks to dry.

Some other issues I had: Her uncle is friendly with the city council so he got to build a cabin in the middle of a park just for fun. Presumably a national park or at the very least a state park based on context, but we don’t know! In this cabin, there’s no running water, just a pump (that’s fine!), but the bathtub is upstairs. Ummm… No one in their right mind would build a cabin that way. No one wants to lug water upstairs. Also, it’s set in the US but she keeps calling flashlights torches. This was the same in The Carrow Haunt. It’s not a big deal, but it’s such an easy edit! Also, if you want the stories to be set in the UK, that’s fine! They are so vaguely written that she could easily set them in the US, the UK, Slovakia, Indonesia, New Zealand—wherever.

In summation: Anything that was scary about this book was made lame by the vague writing.

The Family Plot by Megan Collins • ★★☆☆☆

Maybe I would have liked this book better if I had read it versus listening to the audiobook. I was not a fan of the voice actor’s rendition. And maybe I wasn’t into the execution of this book either.

It sounds promising from the Goodreads synopsis: “[Dahlia was] raised in a secluded island mansion deep in the woods and kept isolated by her true crime-obsessed parents, she has spent the last several years living on her own, but unable to move beyond her past—especially the disappearance of her twin brother Andy when they were sixteen.” Right?

But it was just so flat and implausible. A bunch of murders happened on this small island and during their childhood and no one was worried? Everyone still found it to be normal to be obsessed with true crime instead of, you know, concerned for their safety? I’m not buying it. And I didn’t find it to be chilling or scary, which was the whole point.

The Retreat by Sarah Pearse • ★★★☆☆

I’m not much of a series reader, but I really enjoyed Sarah Pearse’s The Sanatorium. When the next volume came out in what is now a detective series (a specific type of series I’m not really super interested in), I figured I should pick it up.

And it’s a good read (and no, you really don’t need to have read the first in the series to jump in). Detective Elin Warner heads to a remote island to investigate the death of a resort guest. The island has a spooky history, both criminal and paranormal. Sounds good to me!

I think if you’re into detective books, this would be a four-star read, even five, but police work isn’t something I’m really keen on.

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam • ★★★★☆

I rented this audiobook on a whim after I saw it made Barack Obama’s summer reading list. I’m glad I did! This book was a thinker but also one that kept me listening whenever I could squeeze in a few minutes.

Let’s just say what I thought this book didn’t go where I was expecting it. I mean, it went there but then way, way beyond.

Depending on the type of person you are, it’s the perfect read for vacation or the worst read because you know that the family vacationing in this book doesn’t end up with the trip they expected.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry • ★★★★☆

Gosh am I a sucker for an Emily Henry book! Beach Read remains one of my favorite rom-coms of all time. Book Lovers is a worthy follow-up (People We Meet on Vacation was also good, but comes in third in my ranking).

Anyways, I love how this book leans into the rom com tropes, turns them on their head and then turns them over again. It’s very clever and sweet.

Oh you want detail? Literary agent Nora thinks of herself as the cold city lady that every rom-com leading man leaves behind for a new woman in a small town—and she is! She has several exes that have left and married the type of women featured in Hallmark movies. But here’s the thing: Her sister loves these sorts of stories and insists they live a rom-com-style life when they go on a trip. Is there a handsome man in town? You bet! A tiny bookshop? Obviously! Quirky locals? Duh!

But Book Lovers is about more than romance, it’s also about sisters and family and how to choose the life you want to live. Gosh, it was a good one.

As always, you can follow along with my progress and see what I’ve read over on Goodreads! Also, if you’re an audiobook fan, I encourage you to try Libro.fm—you can support your favorite small bookstore while downloading your next listen.

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Introducing… Ember!

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A little over a month ago, Michael and I added a new member to the family: a tiny black kitten named Ember.

We adopted Ember from MADACC, the county animal shelter. The first few days home were a struggle, first in picking a name and then introducing her to Mukki, but after a few weeks, we all got in the groove. All of us are so happy she’s here!

So, What’s She Like?

She is squirmy and silly! When she’s not running around after her favorite sloth toys, she’s flopped on one of our laps or snoozing on her scratching post.

She also spends a lot of time with our other cat Mukki. She gives him a run for his money! Ember tackles him, leapfrogs him and is generally a pest. She also likes to snuggle by his side and clean his head. It warms my heart to see it.

Why We Picked a Kitten

I volunteered at the Wisconsin Humane Society for five years, so I understand the advantages of adopting an older cat. Older cats are sweet! They’ve grown out of the bounce-off-the-walls stage and into their personalities.

But in the end, I selfishly wanted a kitten. I hadn’t had a kitten since I brought Zara home 16 years ago. Also, it’s been a very hard year. I figured we deserved a kitten as an extra dose of fun. I also rationalized that introducing a tiny kitten to Mukki would be easier than getting two grown cats to adjust to one another again (it was very challenging).

It turns out that this was the right move, not only because we love Ember, but because our vet said this was smart thinking. According to Dr. Paul over at Harwood Veterinary Hospital, older cats tend to respond to kittens better. Kittens aren’t that threatening to older cats, and kittens adjust pretty easily to most surroundings. It doesn’t mean that two fully grown cats won’t get along, but the getting-to-know-you process can be more challenging.

What’s It Like Introducing an Adult Cat to a Kitten?

I think introducing cats is incredibly hard. In all honesty, it’s what I was most nervous about before getting married. Would our cats get along?

This being said, introducing a kitten to an older cat went much more easily than getting two adults to adjust to one another. So how did we do it? Irresponsibly! Most experts would recommend, letting the kitten have their own space before bringing in the existing cat. But Mukki loves other cats, so we let him see her pretty much the second we got home. It wasn’t so bad! They sniffed, had a little hiss, played and that was it. We only let him visit with her for about 10 minutes at a time. There were squabbles and growls, but nothing serious.

We did keep Ember in her own room exclusively for about five days. We’d spend time with her and let Mukki in occasionally, but she stayed in her habitat for a while before we released her into the rest of the house. And even then we still had her sleep in her room at night just in case.

After two weeks, we let Ember have the run of the house full time, and things went well! I mean, yes, she does feel the need to get into trouble every night around 11:00, yes, she wakes me up in the morning biting my nose and yes, she collects every cobweb she can find in the basement, but in the end, all of us are happy she’s here.

In the words of my dear friend Amanda (a newer cat lady), “two cats is the perfect amount.”

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What I Read // June + July 2022

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via Goodreads

Guess I’m writing bi-monthly book roundups now! That’s OK! Besides reading (and listening) to books, I’ve started unwinding with a Nintendo Switch. It might seem blasphemous to bookworms, but I really love it. And I still get some reading in! Here are the books that have filled my summer (so far).

The Club by Ellery Lloyd • ★★★★☆

I’ve had this title on hold at the library since last summer. I couldn’t wait any longer and finally downloaded it from Libro.fm. It was worth it.

The Club is set at the newest branch of a super exclusive private resort. But what goes on there isn’t all champagne and caviar. Throughout the book, what’s going on behind the scenes for the staff, the founders and the members is revealed, and oooo it’s a doozy!

I’ll Be You by Janelle Brown • ★★★☆☆

I’ll Be You features two Mary Kate and Ashley types. Sam and Elli experienced a lot of fame as children and teens but as they grew up, they took different paths. Sam is in recovery and working at a café while Elli has flower business and just adopted a child.

Bit Elli disappears on a retreat and Sam has to return home to help care for her daughter and track down her sister who seems like she’s in a cult.

Twin swapping will always be alluring (1998’s The Parent Trap is a masterpiece), and a thrill-tinged take was sort of a nice way to dress up this trope.

Call Me Elizabeth Lark by Melissa Colasanti • ★★★☆☆

This was a totally fine domestic thriller to me. It had some really exciting moments. How could it not? A young woman rolls up to a roadside motel and, uh oh, she looks just like the motel owners’ long-lost daughter. But is she? Does it matter?

This was a good listen for afternoon walks and would make a nice read if you’re sitting by the pool.

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall • ★★★★☆

I am a sucker for adorable British rom com (see Red, White & Royal Blue, Get a Life, Chloe Brown and A Season for Second Chances just as a start). Boyfriend Material gets its start with the fake dating trope which is great if you love that! It’s even great if you don’t quite get it (it’s totally inexplicable to me!).

So what’s the deal here? Luc, a nonprofit employee with a world-famous dad, needs to shore up his reputation for the sake of his organization. Enter Oliver, a straight-laced guy in his social sphere that needs a date to his parents’ 40th-anniversary party. They’re both in it for the appearances and, uh oh, they catch feels.

I read this while planning my parents’ 40th-anniversary shindig so that was sort of sweet! And the story was sweet as well.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova • ★★★★☆

I don’t think anyone is immune to vampire stories—certainly not me. That’s why I eagerly dove into The Historian. It all starts with Paul finding a mysterious book on his desk in the library. From there, the story flashes between Paul’s time and his daughter’s. The providence of the book is revealed along with how Vlad Dracula may not have ended his reign back in 1467.

Be prepared: This is a long one clocking in at 704 pages. But it was a really great read to get into. It’s the sort of story that sort of envelops you in the world it creates from the get-go. I felt this way with A Gentleman in Moscow (one of my all-time favorites). This being said, The Historian could be about 200 pages shorter and the story still would have been great. Enjoy this one when you’ve got some time.

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey • ★★★★☆

This book was not what I expected based on the blurb I read online; it’s much stranger.

There are a lot of complicated themes in Just Like Home. Vera returns to her childhood home to care for her dying mother. It’s the home she grew up in, the home her father built—oh and her father was a serial killer. Despite this, Vera loved her dad. So that’s just the foundation for this whole situation. Layer in an artist living in the backyard looking to dig into the home’s history, a town full of people that hate Vera’s family and a mother that just can’t seem to stand her. Oh, and is the place haunted? It’s a lot!

As always, you can follow along with my progress and see what I’ve read over on Goodreads! Also, if you’re an audiobook fan, I encourage you to try Libro.fm—you can support your favorite small bookstore while downloading your next listen.

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What I Read // April + May 2022

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I’m reading a little slower than normal lately; my Goodreads Challenge says I’m two books behind and I am concerned! But I managed to read a handful of terrific books—including a five-star one—these past few months.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune • ★★★★☆

Talk about a pleasant surprise! A friend gifted me The House in the Cerulean Sea via Libro.fm (a nice surprise on its own) and I was really wowed by how much I loved this book. Do I nudge it to five stars?

At any rate, this was exactly the right book at the right time. This is a mood lifter of a listen.

Oh you wanted any details at all about this book? OK: Linus is a caseworker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth where he inspects orphanages and schools for magical beings. One day he’s assigned to a particularly remote and classified location. THAT’S ALL YOU’RE GETTING FROM ME.

The Gown by Jennifer Robson • ★★★★☆

I’ve had this book floating around on my Kindle for a long while now, and I never really felt particularly drawn to it. After last month’s The Duchess, I was sort of over Windsor history (at least for a bit).

But this book won me over almost instantly. It was clear from the start that Elizabeth and the rest of the royals weren’t going to feature prominently in the book. Instead, The Gown centers around two coworkers turned friends, Ann and Miriam, who work on Elizabeth’s wedding dress. Ann’s granddaughter Heather also figures in here; she is pleasant but not particularly interesting.

What was so interesting to me, though, was the fact that Ann and Miriam were embroiderers! A BOOK ABOUT EMBROIDERY ARTISTS! I was instantly won over.

Not only were the descriptions of the work terrifically accurate and detailed, but the characters themselves were also tremendous joys.

The Hunger by Alma Katsu • ★★★★☆

I love what Alma Katsu does: She takes historical events and weaves in supernatural elements. I really enjoyed The Deep, a spookier take on the sinking of the Titanic, and figured that The Hunger would scratch the same itch.

So essentially The Hunger is Katsu’s take on what happened to the Donner party on their journey West. Despite the subject matter, this novel wasn’t overly gruesome, but it was definitely intriguing!

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert • ★★★★★

Why did I resist such a charming book for so long? City of Girls has been on my to-read list for a while but I kept pushing it off because I feel like WWII-era fiction is everywhere and I am not in the mood. But I was definitely in the mood for this one.

Here, a 19-year-old Vivian gets kicked out of college and is sent to live with her eccentric aunt in New York City (what a punishment!). Her aunt, Peg, runs a small theater company and Vivian dives right into this new lifestyle of showgirls and late nights and costuming and really just wonderful hijinks.

Must Love Books by Shauna Robinson • ★★★☆☆

I had such high hopes for this book! I wanted it to be a People We Meet on Vacation or A Season for Second Chances, but it fell a little flat for me.

But the setup is great: Nora is an editorial assistant at a publishing house. Here pay’s been cut but her employer is dangling a promotion in front of her nose if she can land an important author. This author is, of course, very charming.

The work strife here was maybe too close to home in some ways and that prevented me from enjoying this one fully. And maybe it lacked a little pep and levity?

The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones • ★★★☆☆

Domestic thrillers are a must for any plane trip or vacation if you ask me. So I snagged The Guilt Trip, a British domestic thriller (the best kind) for a work trip to Sonoma. The gist here: six people go on a trip together and only five come home.

Sounds great, right? But for some reason, I had a hard time getting into this one. I kept confusing the characters (three couples). And there’s one character that everyone else seems to dislike because she’s… trying hard to be liked by her spouse-to-be’s friends? Seems flimsy to me!

As always, you can follow along with my progress and see what I’ve read over on Goodreads!

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What I Read // February + March 2022

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Combining two months of reading here. I spent a lot of time the last few months getting into a new hobby (surprise), listening to Maintenance Phase (SO GOOD) and spending time with my mom. But there are some good reads in here!

The Secret History of Home Economics by Danielle Dreilinger • ★★★★★

Hot on the heels of January’s The Romanov Sisters, I downloaded another non-fiction audiobook.

I love learning about the history of home ec because this field of study wasn’t always about sewing pillowcases and flipping pancakes. Stuff You Missed in History Class has a great podcast about the Bureau of Home Economics if you don’t want to buckle up for a whole book.

There is so much good information in this book, but here are some of my favorite bits:

  • Housework is work. Home economists figured this out right away. They calculated that the average woman put 50+ hours a week into domestic activities like cleaning, personal finance and cooking. And if you layer on child care, it was much more.
  • Home economics is about efficiency. At its advent, home economists were looking for ways to make domestic work easier and less time-consuming. They weren’t advocating for everyone to become professional bakers, chefs, cleaners, etc. They wanted average people to find efficient ways of taking care of life’s everyday tasks. If that meant sending your laundry to the cleaner instead of slogging through it at home or picking up a birthday cake at the bakery instead of taking a lot of time in the kitchen, they were all for it! Don’t feel like you have to master everything!
  • It’s more than cooking and sewing. You know those tweets and memes you often see saying “oh gosh, high school, thanks for teaching me calculus instead of how to do my taxes.” Um, you all know that these practical skills are taught in school and many of them fall under the home ec/FACE umbrella. Want to learn how to do your taxes, make a budget, cook healthy meals and fix a hole in your jacket? Take home ec.

Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper • ★★★★☆

Yes, this book has spooky season written all over it, but you cannot control when library holds become available. But reading a book set during my favorite time of year during my least favorite time of year was actually a very nice way to plow through the doldrums of February.

Anyhow, the basics here: Emma returns home for a family witchy ceremony after spending years away. When she gets back, she discovers a few things: 1) her powers are growing stronger, 2) she’s not quite over her ex-boyfriend, and 3) there’s something about the town’s most mysterious and charming witch.

Devil House by John Darnielle • ★★★★☆

Before I even get into this book, let me start by saying that the audiobook version is the way to go. I have the distinct feeling that if I was reading Devil House, I might have had a hard time getting through it. But listening to John Darnielle reading his work was super compelling. I stayed up late listening quite a few nights.

This book is hard to describe, but I’ll give you the gist of part of it: A true-crime author moves into a home where a gruesome murder once took place at the height of the ’80s satanic panic. I think that’s all I want to give you!

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley • ★★★☆☆

I’m a big fan of Lucy Foley’s thrillers. The Hunting Party and The Guest List were absolute page-turners for me. Plus they had terrific settings: rural Scotland and a remote Irish island respectively. The Paris Apartment also has a compelling setting, but I didn’t find the story to be quite as engaging.

Here, Jess travels to Paris to meet her half-brother. (Why are writers so obsessed with half-siblings? I have five and they truly feel like regular siblings to me, not some strange hybrid creature.) When she arrives, he’s not at his apartment. The rest of the book trades perspectives from Jess to other residents in the apartment building.

This book is more than decent. It’s compelling and twisty, but just not as good as Foley’s other endeavors. I’d say this is the perfect airport or beach read. It’ll keep you going, but it’s nothing you’ll want to pick up again.

Madam by Phoebe Wynne • ★★☆☆☆

At first glance, this book was made for me: Rose, a young teacher gets recruited to teach Classics at an elite boarding school in Scotland. Soon she discovers not all is as it seems.

Sign me up, right? Wrong. Also, here come the spoilers (though not the entire plot).

So Rose gets to Caldenbrae and the girls are just not that into academics; instead, the school really emphasizes comportment and manners and breeding. Rose tries to dig into why that is, what happened to the last Latin teacher and why one girl was removed from her class.

She discovers that Caldenbrae isn’t a regular snobby boarding school for the elite, it’s pretty much a wife factory. Girls are matched with men and then educated accordingly. And, while I was hoping it wouldn’t come to it I also knew it was coming, that means sexually as well. The scene is brief but still absolutely stomach-churning and totally unnecessary.

My issue with this book is that it could have had a lot of the spooky plot points about the missing teacher, deaths on campus and unseemly history without the really gross stuff.

So why two stars? Maybe because I’ve read worse? Because the ending was satisfying?

The Duchess by Wendy Holden • ★★★☆☆

About halfway through this book, I remembered that Wallis Simpson and the Duke of Windsor were Nazi sympathizers. That’s about the time I stopped really caring about the characters. This being said, there’s lots of historical fiction out there about equally awful people, so it’s not like this is really that unique. Like was Henry VIII a good guy? No. But I also watched all of The Tudors. Whatever.

At any rate, this book was fine. It definitely painted Wallis as being a bit more passive, even hesitant, about her relationship with the Duke of Windsor. From what I understood about her from podcasts, books and documentaries, that wasn’t really the case, but who really knows.

As always, you can follow along with my progress and see what I’ve read over on Goodreads!

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Getting Ready to Say Goodbye

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Back in the fall, I found out my cat had a tumor the size of an egg in her abdomen. I cried because my options were a painful, risky surgery or to let her live out her days knowing this tumor would kill her.

I opted for the latter not wanting to put my 15-year-old tabby through an arduous operation. The thought of her dying on the operating table or being in severe pain post-surgery was too much to bear.

Now, she is in her final days and it is hard. So hard. I knew it would be, but this is a loss layered on top of so many this past year, including the heartbreaking loss of my mother-in-law. Knowing that yet another blow is coming is gutwrenching.

But there’s no way to stop what is ahead. Zara is slowing down. We knew this was coming, but for so many months, she was doing well. Her attitude and habits were pretty much unchanged since the fall. She sat with me as I quarantined with COVID. She comforted us both after the loss of my mother-in-law. She squawked at the door to go on the patio. She grumbled when we woke her up in her cat bed. She’d growl if our other cat got within an 18-inch radius.

She’s not doing these classic Zara things anymore, and we’ve had to have some really challenging conversations. Bless Michael for his softness and sense. After a chat with the vet (a call I could not bear), he sat me down and we talked about what was to come.

We had to discuss what our ideal situation would be for her last moments and what would happen after. It’s not pleasant, but I know that having this talk now is best.

For now, I am spending as much time with my sweet Zara as I can. While she can’t do her favorite things like go outside or climb her cat tree, I can still try to make her days as pleasant as possible. This means lots of wet food, treats, fluffy blankets and naps. It means appreciating her purrs when she has the energy and her meows when she’s excited for food.

She’s not the Zara she used to be but she is no less loved or cared for.

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What I Read // January 2022

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via goodreads.com

This year, I’m setting a goal to read/listen to 50 books. If the rest of the year is anything like January, I’m sure I’ll get there in no time!

A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss • ★★★☆☆

Last year, I listened to Jenny Bayliss’s The Twelve Dates of Christmas. It was seasonal rom-com perfection. Her second book didn’t capture the seasonal magic the same way but was still a good read.

After all, who doesn’t want to imagine escaping to the English seaside to start a book club, open a cafe and become a beloved part of the community? Because that’s what happens here and I really enjoyed it. Maybe I should bump it up to four stars?

The House of Whispers by Laura Purcell • ★★★☆☆

Every time I open a Laura Purcell book, I know it’s going to be a good time. The atmosphere is going to be ominous, the characters strange and something slightly paranormal or otherworldly imbues the whole thing. It’s terrific.

This one seemed to miss a few tricks when it came to really creeping me out, but was still a fast read.

The Quickening by Rhiannon Ward • ★★★☆☆

This book has all the basics of a satisfying read. An old estate in the English countryside going to run, a photographer, ghosts and secrets.

In The Quickening, Louisa gets invited to some Downton Abbey-esque home to photograph it for auction. While she’s there, the owners are planning a seance to replicate a seriously eerie one that was held there years ago.

Spooky stuff happens. It was good. Not great, but good.

The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore • ★★★★☆

This wasn’t the book I was expecting, but that turned out to be a wonderful thing.

The Life of Mirielle West follows fictional Mirielle, married to one of Hollywood’s leading men. She’s used to soirees, cocktails and evening gowns. Then she gets diagnosed with leprosy and sent to a leper colony in Louisiana.

There Mirielle struggles to come to terms with the disease, her confinement and living a smaller life before learning how to find her place.

This story played out beautifully and was really moving.

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry • ★★★★☆

I read Beach Read this past fall while on vacation and it was truly the perfect rom com. With that in mind, I had to grab another Emily Henry book.

I really enjoyed this one and the characters felt very real and funny to me (if not too good to be true, but everyone in romances is a little too pretty and a little too charming and a little too lucky). Anyways, in People We Meet on Vacation, friends Alex and Poppy reunite for a vacation to see if they can rekindle their friendship.

We all know how this one will end from the jump, but it doesn’t make getting there less fun.

The Romanov Sisters by Helen Rapapport • ★★★★☆

I bookmarked this title eons ago when a Bustle listicle suggested picking this title up if you read the Dear America series as a kid. I, of course, did. I also was obsessed with the animated movie Anastasia.

While it took me a while to grab this book (OK, download the audiobook from the library), I’m thrilled that I did. I’ve read and watched a lot about the Romanovs over the years, so I wasn’t expecting any major revelations here, but I learned so much in The Romanov Sisters.

A lot of documentaries focus on the very end of Romanov rule—like the last year or two—but Helen Rapapport dives in from the time that Nikolas and Alexandra wed and gives a lot of detail about each of the grand duchesses (and not just everyone’s favorite, Anastasia) from early childhood until their death.

This book had me thinking about the family in a very different way. Perhaps they weren’t suited for the lifestyle they were born to. If they weren’t royals, they would have been a very lovely, tight-knit family. But ultimately their insular nature and indecisiveness did them no favors.

While picking up a hefty nonfiction book might seem like a bit of a lift (and not as joyful as something like People We Meet on Vacation), I recommend listening to nonfiction. It’s sort of like a super long-form podcast with no commercials and a talented voice actor.

As always, you can follow along with my progress and see what I’ve read over on Goodreads!

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Move Over GBBO, The Repair Shop is the Soothing British TV We All Need

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via bbc.co.uk

Back in the day, circa 2015, there was nothing more relaxing to me than turning on an episode of The Great British Baking Show and letting the pastel colors, English bakes and fantastic accents wash over me. Compared to American food TV, it was downright tranquil. Contestants became friends, the only competition was with one another.

Now, while I still love Bake-Off (and especially love the addition of Noel Fielding), I do think it is a bit more stressful than it used to be. The intense violin music seeps in more often, the bakers in more of a rush, the recipes more off-the-wall.

To put it simply: Bake-Off is no longer the most relaxing show on television. That show would be The Repair Shop.

This BBC program, which is available to stream on Discovery+, is the peak of soothing British TV.

What’s the Gist of The Repair Shop?

via bustle.com

Every episode of The Repair Shop opens on a thatch roof barn somewhere in the English countryside. How idyllic!

As we close in on the workshop, you learn about all the different artisans working inside: woodworkers, clockmakers, art restorers, ceramicists, blacksmiths and more. At the start of each episode, three families bring in cherished, though tattered, heirlooms.

These keepsakes range from busted cuckoo clocks to out-of-tune accordions to unraveled wicker bassinets. At first blush, you think that’s destined for the trash. Then, over the course of the show, each item is expertly restored.

But Why is It So Soothing?

via thetimes.co.uk

I find the show soothing because it’s incredibly low stakes. Yes, of course, people want to see their treasures transformed and these craftspeople are dealing with people’s prized possessions. At the same time, people are dragging in items that are in absolute disrepair. Like that painting with a giant hole in it? It can’t get much worse. Or the garden gnome that’s been shattered? It’s already in pieces.

The Repair Shop is also a relaxing watch because it’s got a very easy pace. People bring in their heirlooms, the pros inspect them and then start work. There is no time clock, we don’t see steps that go wrong. It’s just slow and sort of fascinating. Occasionally, the artisans unearth some incredible features of the piece, like it’s 100% silver, it’s way older than they thought or it’s super rare. Other times you just learn a bit about history or craft.

And you never hear about pricetags or what an heirloom is worth. It’s about the process and the memories. Seeing old things that mean a lot lovingly restored is just nice.

How British is It?

via wivenhoehistory.org.uk

This is a question Michael and I ask one another when we watch British shows of all kinds: but how British is it? And that usually means it has its particular subdued charms and various accents. In this regard, The Repair Shop is so very British.

First off, there are the items themselves. One family brought in an old baby crib gifted to some ancestor by Queen Victoria, another a monkey-shaped cane procured on a trip to India and another still a lamp that was shattered during a WWII blitz. These are not stories you’re going to get stateside.

Then there are the people themselves. The craftspeople will unveil a perfectly restored family memento that hasn’t been in good condition in decades, one that means the world to these families and the dad will just lean and say, “Ah, well, that’s very lovely.” AND THAT’S IT. Americans would be screaming, sobbing, making a fuss, but these charming Brits, just say, “I’m proper chuffed” and then take their 100-year-old violin to the car. And that’s it. I love it.

The Best Artisans on The Repair Shop

via bbc.co.uk

I’ve watched a lot of this show and over the course of a few seasons, I’ve developed a few favorites.

  • Sonnaz Nooranvary: Sonnaz is my favorite artisan in the shop. She does beautiful work restoring antique upholstery and I feel like I learn a lot just from watching her fix springs and add padding to Victorian armchairs. She’s a doll and I want to fly to England to be her apprentice.
  • Will Kirk: Let’s get this out of the way: Will is a grade-A cutie! He also has a warm demeanor when working with clients. Also, every time he refurbishes an old desk or chest of drawers it makes me want to get into restoring furniture myself—or at the very least polish something until it gleams.
  • Rachael South: There is no one on the show who is more joyful in her work than Rachael. She’s a third-generation caner who spends hours patching up a Victorian-era cradle with a smile. I am jealous that I am not a third-generation something.
  • Suzie Fletcher: Suzie is a saddlemaker and leather specialist. Do I care a whit about either? I didn’t think so, but I am changed. Watching her thread a big ol’ needle through leather to fix an old chair or an old piece of luggage is entrancing.
  • Steve Fletcher: My biggest gripe with The Repair Shop is that every episode features a damned clock. But at the same time, that makes Steve the MVP of the show. Also he’s constantly being wrangled into other projects to make small metal findings or fix locks. He’s just a master of his craft (and Suzie’s brother).

So Where Can You Watch It?

The Repair Shop is streaming on Discovery+. I’d say this show alone is worth the subscription but there’s a lot of other really great stuff on there, too.

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What to Do for Friends in Need

Filed Under: Life

2021 was easily the worst year of my life. Yep, the pandemic was and continues to be terrible, isolating and frustrating. But there were a lot of miserable layers on top of that for my family: cancer, COVID, hospitalization and death. Many deaths, unfortunately.

Throughout all these tragedies, I’ve had a lot of well-meaning friends and loved ones reach out offering to be of help. I’ve received a lot of emails, calls and messages saying, “let me know what I can do to help.”

First and foremost, I want you (you, my IRL friends and you, general internet readers) that those messages do mean so much. Knowing that people you love are keeping you in mind and are willing to take time to call is a great comfort. And knowing that loved ones are ready to do you a favor, is heartwarming.

But also know that open-ended offers can be tough for some people who are struggling. When you’re under a heavy emotional load or have had to make a lot of hard decisions, thinking of a favor to request can seem impossible. And if you’re Midwest nice and don’t want to be a burden to anyone or don’t want to make people go out of their way, it’s all the harder. But here’s what I’ve learned after lots of experience.

How to Be Helpful

If you don’t know what to do, here are a few places to start. These gestures will always be appreciated.

  • Bring meals: Don’t just say, “let me know if you’d like dinner.” Tell your friend, “I’m bringing you dinner this week. When works best?” And if you’re not a cook or your pal lives far away, order them take-out. A friend of mine delivered a burger and onion rings from one of my favorite places to me one night and I’ll never forget it. Of course, you don’t need to drop off restaurant meals! A pan of something homemade and fuss-free is always welcome (and thank you, Lara, for both).
  • Drop off snacks: When my mother-in-law passed away, friends dropped off lots of snacks at my in-law’s home. It’s nice to have ready-to-eat foods (both healthy and junky) on hand to stay fueled as you work through the tiring process of grieving and preparing for a funeral.
  • Don’t forget the power of a card: A nice note in the mail can mean the world. Kind words do a lot to emotionally lift me and I know I’m not alone. When these messages are handwritten, they are all the better. And if they come with a really nice candle (looking at you, Nicole), well that’s enough to buoy the spirits.
  • Make a donation or send flowers: If you know someone who’s lost a loved one, it’s always a good idea to send flowers for the service or make a donation to a worthy cause. Often times, obituaries list where donations can be made. If they don’t, ask about the departed and what they enjoyed. If they were an animal lover, a donation in their name to a local humane society is a kind thought. If they loved spending time in the kitchen, sending money to a food pantry is something to consider. Families in mourning, in my experience, really appreciate friends taking this step. No, it’s not as immediately helpful as a pan of lasagna, but it’s a thoughtful way to honor someone’s legacy.

What You Can (and Should!) Ask For

This all being said, you will get people saying “let me know what I can do” (and you will certainly say those words in the future). And I’ll tell you this: Take those friends up on their offers. Do it. People are not offering what they are not willing to give (and if they are, well, you’ve learned an important something about that relationship).

So here are a few things you should feel absolutely comfortable requesting:

  • Tackling mundane tasks: When you’re emotionally spent, picking up the phone to cancel a haircut or swining by Target to grab toilet paper can feel like just too damn much. Don’t be afraid to ask a family member or friend to do these basics. Having these tasks off your plate can be a big relief.
  • Outdoor chores: Does the driveway need shoveling or the grass need mowing? Does the recycling bin need to be brought up to the garage? Those are easy, concrete asks.
  • Caring for pets: Tough times often mean long stretches away from home. Ask friends to feed your fish, walk the dog, etc.
  • A break: At work, let your colleagues know that you’re having a hard time. Ask for extensions on deadlines, a lighter load or a little time away. Don’t let work keep you from the time you need to heal, mourn or spend time with family.

How to Say Thank You

Of course, after accepting so much help, you want to show gratitude. When you’re mourning or are experiencing trying times, it’s OK if your thank-yous are belated. Make a list of friends that have helped you and send texts or mail cards or make calls when you’re feeling up to the task. It might be weeks or months, but you can still let your gratitude be known.

And when someone you know is in a rough spot, you can always show your thanks by returning the favor one cheeseburger at a time.

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What I Read // December 2021 + A Year in Books

Filed Under: Life Tagged With:

I’ll admit it: I spent a lot of time checking out new Christmas movies on Netflix and rewatching Downton Abbey this month. But I still managed to sneak in a little holiday reading.

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox • ★★★☆☆

I saw this book sitting on a table at a bookstore months back and instantly filed it away in my brain as a must-read holiday rom-com. And I’m glad I remembered to pick it up later.

This book is a bit implausible, but so was The Parent Trap and it was still a masterpiece (I am, of course, talking about the perfect 1998 version).

Anyways, two twenty-something twins swap places after one twin loses her sense of taste, an obvious prerequisite for her job as a baking show judge. So her small town twin leaves the family bakery behind and steps into the spotlight, leaving the first sister to get used to being home again.

It’s a sweet book that turns out just right and gives great holiday vibes.

The Hygge Holiday by Rosie Blake • ★★★☆☆

This month, I needed a lot of comfort, so I reached for another holiday rom-com straight away.

Here, stranger Clara stops in a small English village as she travels the country. Because it’s a feel-good book, she immediately befriends an eccentric who needs a housesitter while on vacation. During that vacation, Clara reinvigorates the woman’s toy shop and starts giving the whole town a new life thanks to her hygge touches from her native Denmark.

Grab some cocoa for this one, folks.

Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney • ★★★☆☆

I wouldn’t say it’s a pet peeve, but I don’t love when the main character in a novel is a writer. I know: Write what you know, but it sometimes feels a little lazy (says someone that doesn’t write fiction and knows nothing about it!).

In this book, almost every character is a writer which is a bit maddening and meta. It actually made me like this twisty novel a touch less.

But I will say that a couple celebrating their anniversary in a remote Scottish chapel-turned-inn is a nice setup (but what thriller set in a remote part of Scotland isn’t? Looking at you, The Hunting Party). And there was a twist that came at just the right time.

A Year in Books

With these three under my belt, I managed to read a total of 55 books in 2021. In 2020, I read 51 and in 2019 I read 20 (which is nothing to sneeze at).

For 2022, I hope to hit the 50-mark again. Historical fiction set during the Russian Revolution, British thrillers and holiday rom-coms will certainly be on that list.

If you have any recommendations, feel free to drop ’em in the comments! I love a good book recommendation. Some of my favorites reads this year were tips from friends, including The Sun Down Motel, Red, White & Royal Blue and Beach Read.