Summer Reading Challenge

I have been in a reading-for-pleasure slump, mostly because of the spring cleaning but also because I never know what I want to read. I blazed through those two new books I just bought as well, so I'm back to square one. To cure this malady I thrifted a box of vintage Harlequin romances for the minimum bid. They arrived in remarkable condition, looking as new as they did when they were published.

I know people turn their nose up at these type novels, but I enjoy them a lot. They're usually well-written, have an interesting storyline and aren't too graphic (I have nothing against graphic romances, btw; they're just not what I read for pleasure.) A lot of talented, prolific romance authors like Anne Stuart got their start writing for publishers like Harlequin.

I'm hoping to read all 25 books this summer, starting with this one. I'll post about the best books in the lot, and then do a big wrap-up of all of them once I finish the pile. As for what I paid for them, I bid the minimum and won the entire lot for $9.99. The books retailed new for $4.99 back in the eighties and nineties, when it would have cost me $124.75 to buy them new, so it's an excellent value.

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Wishing

I submitted book one of my NA series for professional review and consideration, and in return I was praised for the work and provided with excellent feedback. Now I have some changes to contemplate, and decisions to make about the future. I have a couple of different directions to take, which makes the deciding part a challenge. At times like these I wish I had a crystal ball so I could see the outcome of every choice. Wouldn't life be easier if we could do that? Image by Matthias Böckel from Pixabay

Another World

Since I'm watching more Japanese dramas these days I'm able to find more hidden gems, like the drama Silent . This is a subtle, emotional romance series, and authentically portrays what it's like to deal with a major disability while trying to get on with life and fall in love. Here's the story: in high school Sou Sakura (Meguro Ren) and Tsumugi Aoba (Haruna Kawaguchi) are a young couple. They have the same quirky sense of humor, love music, and really enjoy being with each other. The fact that they're the most attractive couple in school is obvious, but the innocent and fun nature of their relationship is what makes it so perfect. They just like talking with each other. Then, quite suddenly, Sou dumps Tsumugi (by text, no less, making him a giant ass) and vanishes. Years later Tsumugi is now in a relationship with another guy, with whom she's happy, and is looking for a place where they can live together. By accident she runs into Sou, and discovers ...

Downtown Discovery

My guy and I are taking time each week to walk around the downtown areas of places we've never had time before to visit, which is how I came across a lovely fiber art supplies shop wth amazing handspun art yarns and hand-dyed embroidery threads from local artists. Fine silk embroidery thread is literally impossible to find in my part of the country, but not anymore. I also loved the amazing selection of hand-dyed flosses. I even found some tiny seed beads for my current project, and a gift for a quilter friend. While I try to thrift as much as I can for my art quilting and embroidery these days, I love the chance to support our my local weavers and dexters.

Rayen

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