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My name is Ardis and I am an avid reader and budding writer. I want to share my love of books with others. I work with kids and am interested in finding and creating books that will ignite the reader in everyone. Contact me at: ardis.atkins@gmail.com

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MsArdychan's bookshelf: read

I Owe You One
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Love, Hate & Other Filters
The Wartime Sisters
The Belles
The Gilded Wolves
Hey, Kiddo
Blackberry and Wild Rose
Queen of Air and Darkness
Firestarter
The Retribution of Mara Dyer
The Evolution of Mara Dyer


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Tuesday, January 30, 2018

ARC Review: Still Me by Jojo Moyes

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399562451/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=onderherose-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0399562451&linkId=25d10b1bd6a2424d4356ae7e14a0f514
Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the content of my review in any way.  Also, I am in the Amazon Affiliate program.  If you purchase this book from the links on this page I will get a small fee.  This is a great way to support this blog (hint, hint).

Synopsis (From Goodreads):
Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She steps into the world of the superrich, working for Leonard Gopnik and his much younger second wife, Agnes. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her new job and New York life.

As she begins to mix in New York high society, Lou meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. Before long, Lou finds herself torn between Fifth Avenue where she works and the treasure-filled vintage clothing store where she actually feels at home. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself: Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you reconcile a heart that lives in two places?

Funny, romantic, and poignant, Still Me follows Lou as she navigates how to stay true to herself, while pushing to live boldly in her brave new world.


Review:
With it's engaging heroine, Louisa Clark, Still Me, by Jojo Moyes, explores what it means to find purpose in one's life, and the sacrifices one is willing to make in order to do this.  While Still Me didn't have the emotional punch of Me Before You (and what book could ever top that!), I found this book very entertaining, and I did shed a few tears.

What I Liked:
Narration:
Anna Acton was a perfect choice for this book!  Her performance as Louisa was spot on, both wildly optimistic and self-conscious.  I was also impressed with her interpretation of Agnes, the Polish immigrant who marries the millionaire.  She is wistful about her previous life, and bitter at the frosty reception she receives from her step daughter, and the other wives.  I also enjoyed her American accents!

Characters:
If you've followed this series, you will already know Louisa, the plucky British twenty-something with her unique clothing style.  Even though she is happy in London with her new boyfriend Sam, she knows that a chance to work in New York is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  At Sam's urging, she takes a job as an assistant to a ultra rich family in Manhattan.  Louisa maintains her optimism and friendliness while being treated as an invisible person by her employer.  While I winced at her treatment, I knew she is someone who doesn't want to rock to boat.  She goes to extraordinary lengths to help others, particularly Mrs. DeWitt, an unpleasant elderly lady who lives across from her employer.

Mrs. DeWitt is an extremely bitter, and difficult person, complete with a nasty little dog, named Dean Martin.  I really enjoyed this character and how Louisa gets to know Mrs. DeWitt through the medium of vintage clothing.

Agnes, the immigrant wife of Mr. Gopnik, seems, at first, to be just another trophy wife.  The second wife of Millionaire Leonard Gopnik, her "job" is to look perfect while attending the many charity events that New York society creates in order for the rich to feel like they are doing good works.  She kind of reminded me of Melania Trump!  Her life is complicated by the fact that Leonard's first wife also attends these events.  While Leonard seems to have retained all the money, his first wife has the loyalties of all the other wives (perhaps because they worry that they, too, could bee replaced by a younger woman).   Agnes doesn't really get this, but Louisa is there to steer her safely through the shark infested waters.  Agnes is written as a very complicated person, not always doing the right thing.  But the reader understands her motivations.

Setting:   
Who wouldn't want to live in New York!  Throughout the book, Louisa gets to know both the glamorous parts of the city, and the gritty neighborhoods where everyday people struggle with keeping basic services alive.  I loved that Louisa connected with the other people who worked in her building, attending protests to keep a library open in an impoverished neighborhood.  She really is the sort of person who can float between the privileged and regular folks, with ease.

Fashion: 
Clothing plays an important part of this book, and I loved that!  In the second book,  After You, Louisa's depression is illustrated by her choice to wear boring clothing, and not her usual eclectic style.  Her creative clothing choices are back in Still Me!!!  I was so happy to see this, and for Louisa to find the amazing vintage clothing store (I want one of these where I live, please).  

While it seemed a little convenient that Mrs. DeWitt is a retired fashion editor with a home full of museum quality vintage clothing, I enjoyed how Louisa and she bonded over clothes, sewing, and the lost art of finely made garments.

Message:
I liked that several characters in this book have to take a good hard look at what they are willing to forgo in order to reach their goals.  Can Agnes leave behind a precious family member in Poland, in order to be married to a millionaire?  Can Louisa be parted from Sam so she can experience New York?  What did Mrs. DeWitt sacrifice to have a career back in the 1960's?  Even Louisa's mother has to figure out her changing role from stay at home mom, to empty-nester.  What will she do now?  I loved all the self-examination, and seeing how complex these choices are.


What I Was Mixed About:
Some of the plot devices were a bit cliched.  As Louisa returns to England early to surprise Sam, you just know what she will walk into.  And the ending was as hokey as any Nora Ephron movie.  I, however, love a sappy, romantic ending!  So it was all good.

                                                               
 
Rating: 




Release Date:  January 30th, 2018

Genre:  General Fiction

Publisher:  Random House Audio

Listening Length:  13 Hours and 20 Minutes

Page Length:  400 Pages

Source:  Random House Audio

Format:  Audio Book

Recommendation:  A must for fans of this series.  Romantic and full of the optimism of immigrants coming to America.  This was a fun, quick read.


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Monday, January 29, 2018

Bay Area Book Events #82

Due to the enormous size of this list, I only show events about four weeks in advance.  There is also a master calendar that has all listings.

Bookstores in this list may include:  
A Great Good Place For Books (Oakland) 
Barnes & Noble (various Bay Area Locations)
Books Inc. (various Bay Area Locations)
Book Passage (Corte Madera & San Francisco) 
Borderlands Books (San Francisco) 
Copperfield's Books (Various Locations) 
East Bay Booksellers (Oakland)   
Green Apple Books (San Francisco) 
Hicklebee's Children's Books (San Jose) 
Kepler's Books (Menlo Park)   
Mrs. Dalloway's (Berkeley) 
Orinda Books (Orinda)   
Pegasus Books (Berkeley & Oakland)   
Point Reyes Bookstore (Point Reyes) 
Rakestraw Books (Danville)
The Booksmith (San Francisco)
Town Center Books (Pleasanton)  

I am attempting to make this a one stop place to find book signings in the San Francisco Bay Area! I will mostly focus on YA books, but I will also include some general fiction if I think it will be of interest.  I do not list non-fiction books (There are simply too many events of those to list).  I think this is an extensive list, but there is always the possibility that I missed an event (Hey, I'm human). If you think there is an event that I should include, please leave me a note in the comments section. Thanks.

All  book graphics have links to GoodReads so you can check them out.

As always, it is a good idea to call the store a day or two before to confirm that the scheduled e
vent is still on.  I have learned that these events change constantly.


Tuesday, January 30th, at 7:00pm
Publication Party:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33815781-the-wedding-date?from_search=true

Book:  The Wedding Date
Author:  Jasmine Guillory
Location:  East Bay Books
Address:  5433 College Avenue, Oakland
Tel:  (510)  653-9965

Wednesday, January 31st, at 7:00pm


Book:  The Job Of The Wasp
Author:  Colin Winnette
Location:  East Bay Books
Address:  5433 College Avenue, Oakland
Tel:  (510)  653-9965

Thursday, February 1st, at 11:30am
Read It & Eat It:


Arrive at 11:30 AM for refreshments and mingling, lunch to be served at 12 PM.  Tickets are $15.00 for lunch only, $25.00 for lunch and book. Call the store or purchase tickets through the store's website.
Book:  Ginny Moon
Author:  Benjamin Ludwig
Location:  Towne Center Books
Address:  555 Main Street, Pleasanton
Tel:  (925) 846-8826

Friday, February 2nd, at 6:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35520811-hilo-book-4?ac=1&from_search=true
Book:  Hilo Book 4:  Waking The Monsters
Author:  Judd Winnick
Location:  Kepler's Books
Address:  1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
Tel: (650) 324-4321


Saturday, February 3rd, at 10:00am

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20454490-how-much-do-you-love-me?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  How Much Do You Love Me?
Author:  Paul Mark Tag
Location:  Barnes & Noble (San Jose)
Address:  3600 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose
Tel:  (408) 984-3495 

Saturday, February 3rd, at 3:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35082019-time-shards?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  Time Shards
Authors:  David Fitzgerald & Dana Fredsti
Location:  Borderlands Cafe
Address:  870 Valencia Street, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 824-8203

Monday, February 5th, at 7:00pm
Book Passage Presents:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29906980-lincoln-in-the-bardo?ac=1&from_search=true

This is a ticketed event.  
Tickets are $40 (includes signed book).  Get tickets here

Book:  Lincoln on The Bardo
Author:  George Saunders
Location:  Dominican University (Angelico Hall)
Address:  20 Olive Avenue, San Rafael
Tel:  (415) 927-0960 (Book Passage)

Tuesday, February 6th, at 7:00pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36133904-stones?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  Stones
Author:  Jeanie Kortum
Location:  Book Passage (Corte Madera)
Address:  51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera
Tel:  (415) 927-0960

Tuesday, February 6th, at 7:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34953104-hellbent?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  Hellbent
Author:  Gregg Hurwitz 
Location:  Barnes & Noble (San Jose)
Address:  3600 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose
Tel:  (408) 984-3495

Tuesday, February 6th, at 7:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33918883-before-i-let-go?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  Before I Let Go
Author:  Marieke Nijkamp
Location:  Books Inc. (Alameda)
Address:  1344 Park Street, Alameda
Tel:  (510) 522-2226 

Tuesday, February 6th, at 7:00pm
In Conversation with Stephanie Garber

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34275232-the-hazel-wood?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  The Hazel Wood
Author:  Melissa Albert 
Location:  Kepler's Books
Address:  1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
Tel:  (650) 324-4321

Wednesday, February 7th, at 6:00pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35390279-the-night-child?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  The Night Child
Author:  Anna Quinn
Location:  Book Passage (Sausalito)
Address:  100 Bay Street, Sausalito
Tel:  (415) 339-1300

Wednesday, February 7th, at 7:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33918883-before-i-let-go?ac=1&from_search=truehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23197837-the-belles?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  Before I Let Go
Author:  Marieke Nijkamp
Book:  The Belles
Author:  Dhonielle Clayton
Location:  Hicklebee's Children's Books
Address:  1378 Lincoln Ave., San Jose
Tel:  (408) 292-8880

Wednesday, February 7th, at 7:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34953104-hellbent?ac=1&from_search=true
Book:  Hellbent
Author:  Gregg Hurwitz 
Location:  Books Inc. (Palo Alto)
Address:  855 El Camino Real #74, Palo Alto
Tel:  (650) 321-0600

Wednesday, February 7th, at 7:00pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36201367-shu-wei-s-revenge?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  Shu Wei's Revenge
Author:  Jackson Fahnestock
Location:  Books Inc. (Opera Plaza)
Address:  601 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 776-1111

Thursday, February 8th, at 4:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28954113-checked?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  Checked
Author:  Cynthia Kadohata
Location:  Hicklebee's Children's Books
Address:  1378 Lincoln Ave., San Jose
Tel:  (408) 292-8880 

Thursday, February 8th, at 7:00pm
In Conversation with Sabaa Tahir
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23197837-the-belles?ac=1&from_search=true
Book:  The Belles
Author:  Dhonielle Clayton
Location:  Kepler's Books
Address:  1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
Tel:  (650) 324-4321


Thursday, February 8th, at 7:00pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36712357-the-clubhouse-thief?ac=1&from_search=truehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23184738-tree-line?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  The Clubhouse Thief
Author:  James Janko
Book:  Tree Line
Author:  Judy Halebsky

Location:  East Bay Booksellers
Address:  5433 College Avenue, Oakland
Tel:  (510) 653-9965

Friday, February 9th, at 7:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32333259-a-fiery-friendship?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  Ages of Oz: A Fiery Friendship
Author:  Gabriel Gale
Location:  Hicklebee's Children's Books
Address:  1378 Lincoln Ave., San Jose
Tel:  (408) 292-8880

Friday, February 9th, at 7:00pm
An Evening in Conversation

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36712357-the-clubhouse-thief?ac=1&from_search=truehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23184738-tree-line?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  The Clubhouse Thief
Author:  James Janko
Book:  Tree Line
Author:  Judy Halebsky
Location:  Book Passage (Corte Madera)
Address:  51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera
Tel:  (415)  927-0960 


Friday, February 9th, at 7:00pm
Release Party:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35069215-the-sea-before-us?from_search=true

Book:  The Sea Before Us
Author:  Sarah Sundin
Location:  Barnes & Noble (Antioch)
Address:  5709 Lone Tree Way, Antioch
Tel:  (925) 978-1031 

Saturday, February 10th, at 2:00pm
Fundraiser for Karam

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26146347-escape-from-aleppo?ac=1&from_search=true

Karam Foundation was founded in 2007 in Chicago — a small, non-profit organization determined to do big things. Karam means generosity in Arabic — our simple vision was to give what
was needed to those who needed it anywhere around the world. Ten years ago, we started with a food drive on the south-side of Chicago. Today, our impact expands across Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan, building a better future for thousands of Syrian families.


Book:  Escape From Aleppo
Author:  N.H. Senzai
Location:  Laurel Book Store
Address:  1423 Broadway, Oakland
Tel:  (510) 452-9232

Sunday, February 11th, at 4:00pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32333259-a-fiery-friendship?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  Ages of Oz: A Fiery Friendship
Author:  Gabriel Gale
Location:  Books Inc. (Burlingame)
Address:  1375 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame
Tel: (650) 685-4914


Monday, February 12th, at 11:00am
Poetry Circle:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23213841-why-poetry?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  Why Poetry
Author:  Matthew Zapruder
Location:  Orinda Books
Address:  276 Village Square, Orinda
Tel:  (925) 254-7606

Monday, February 12th, at 7:00pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33555224-thunderhead?from_search=true
 
Book:  Thunderhead
Author:  Neal Shusterman
Location:  Copperfield's Books
Address:  140 Kentucky Street, Petaluma
Tel:  (707)   762-0563

Monday, February 12th, at 7:00pm


Book:  How To Stop Time
Author:  Matt Haig
Location:  Book Passage (Corte Madera)
Address:  51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera
Tel:  (415)  927-0960 

Tuesday, February 13th, at 11:00am
Literary Luncheon:

Tickets : $12 (Includes lunch with wine).  
Please call the store to make a reservation.

Book:  How To Stop Time
Author:  Matt Haig
Location:  Orinda Books
Address:  276 Village Square, Orinda
Tel:  (925) 254-7606

Tuesday, February 13th, at 7:00pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35574989-song-of-a-captive-bird?from_search=true
Traditional Persian bites and beverages will be served.
Book:  Song of a Captive Bird
Author:  Jasmin Darznik
Location:  Book Passage (Corte Madera)
Address:  51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera
Tel:  (415)  927-0960

Tuesday, February 13th, at 7:00pm

Book:  How To Stop Time
Author:  Matt Haig
Location:  Rakestraw Books
Address:  3 Railroad Avenue, Danville
Location:  (925) 837-7337

Tuesday, February 13th, at 7:30pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35056886-winter-kept-us-warm?from_search=true

Book: Winter Kept Us Warm
Author:  Anne Raeff
Location:  Green Apple Books on the Park
Address:  1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 742-5833

Tuesday, February 13th, at 7:00pm
In Conversation with S.J. Kincaid

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33652251-the-empress?from_search=truehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33555224-thunderhead?from_search=true

Book:  Thunderhead
Author:  Neal Shusterman
Book:  The Empress
Author:  S.J. Kincaid
Location:  Books Inc. (Opera Plaza)
Address:  601 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Tel:  (415)  776-1111 

Thursday, February 15th, at 7:00pm


Book:  Everything Here Is Beautiful
Author:  Mira T. Lee
Book:  Winter Kept Us Warm
Author:  Anne Raeff
Location:  Books Inc. (Palo Alto)
Address:  855 El Camino Real #74, Palo Alto
Tel:  (650) 321-6069 

Thursday, February 15th, at 7:00pm
Burlingame Public Library Presents:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33919162-close-enough-for-the-angels?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  Close Enough For The Angels
Author:  Paul Madonna
Location:  Burlingame Public Library
Address:  480 Primrose Road, Burlingame
Tel:  (650) 558-7400 



Thursday, February 15th, at 7:30pm
Conversation with the author
and 
Screenwriter Jesse Andrews


Book: Every Day
Author:  David Levithan
Location:  Books Inc., (Opera Plaza)
Address:  601 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Tel:  (415)  776-1111


Thursday, February 15th, at 7:30pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35574989-song-of-a-captive-bird?from_search=true
Book:  Song of a Captive Bird
Author:  Jasmin Darznik
Location:  The Booksmith
Address:  1644 Haight Street, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 863-8688

Saturday, February 17th, at 2:00pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35520811-hilo-book-4?ac=1&from_search=true
Book:  Hilo Book 4:  Waking The Monsters
Author:  Judd Winnick

Location:  Books Inc. (Palo Alto)
Address:  855 El Camino Real #74, Palo Alto
Tel:  (650) 321-6069


Monday, February 19th, at 7:00pm
In Conversation with Mark Lukach

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31371250-my-lovely-wife-in-the-psych-ward?ac=1&from_search=truehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34262106-everything-here-is-beautiful?ac=1&from_search=true


Book:  Everything Here is Beautiful
Author:  Mira T. Lee
Book:  My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward
Author:  Mark Lukach 
Location:  Orinda Books
Address:  276 Village Square, Orinda
Tel:  (925) 254-7606

Tuesday, February 20th, at 6:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34564829-rosie-colored-glasses?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  Rosie Colored Glasses
Author:  Brianna Wolfson
Location:  Book Passage (San Francisco)
Address:   1 Ferry Building, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 835-1020

Tuesday, February 20th, at 6:00pm
In Conversation with David Corbett
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28942137-the-plea?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  The Plea
Author:  Steve Cavanagh
Location:  Book Passage (Sausalito)
Address:  100 Bay Street, Sausalito
Tel:  (415) 339-1300

Wednesday, February 21st, at 7:30pm
City Arts & Lectures Presents:
In Conversation with Dan Stone
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29906980-lincoln-in-the-bardo?ac=1&from_search=true

                                       Tickets:  $29 Here

Book:  Lincoln On The Bardo
Author:  George Saunders
Location:  Nourse Theater
Address:  275 Hayes Street, San Franscisco
Tel:  (415) 392-4400 

Thursday, February 22nd, at 7:30pm
In Conversation with Carol H. Hood

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34381048-knucklehead?ac=1&from_search=true

Book: Knucklehead
Author:  Adam Smyer
Location:  Pegasus Books Downtown
Address:  2349 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
Tel: (510) 649-1320
 
Thursday, February 22nd, at 7:30pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35068765-don-t-skip-out-on-me?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  Don't Skip Out On Me
Author:  Willy Vlautin
Location:  Green Apple Books on the Park
Address:  1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco
Tel:  (415) 742-5833

Friday, February 23rd,  at 1:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28818930-the-angel-of-history?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  The Angel of History
Author:  Rabih Alameddine
Location:  College of Marin Kentfield Library
Address:  835 College Avenue, Kentfield
Tel: (415) 485-9656

Sunday, February 25th, at 2:00pm

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34506912-the-prince-and-the-dressmaker?ac=1&from_search=true

Book:  The Prince and the Dressmaker
Author:  Jen Wang
Location:  Alameda Free Library
Address:  1550 Oak Street, Alameda
Tel:  (510) 747-7777


Monday, March 19th, at 7:00pm
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34912895-the-great-alone?ac=1&from_search=true
Tickets ($29.45 includes signed copy of the book).
 Get your tickets here
 I would highly recommend getting your tickets early, as I am certain this will sell out quickly.

Book:  The Great Alone
Author:  Kristin Hannah
Location:  Books Inc. (Opera Plaza)
Address:  601 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
Tel:  (415)  776-1111
 
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