Finally Friday - The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware

 You can count on  Ruth Ware's writing to you keep your attention, keep you surprised, and keep those pages turning. The Woman in Suite 11 is  a follow-up to The Woman in Cabin 10 and it's a doozy.

cover blurb - Lo Blacklock returns to attend the opening of a luxury hotel, only to find herself in a white-knuckled race across Europe. She's ready to reestablish her journalism career, but she's been out of the game for ten years. It's a different landscape. 

The luxury Swiss hotel is owned by billionaire, Marcus Leidmann. She hopes to land an interview. A late night call from his  room leads to her being greeted by an alleged mistress in  life or death jeopardy. 

cover  How much is Lo willing to sacrifice to save this woman...and can she actually trust her?

I can't write more. I don't want to give away secrets.  Money, power, and intrigue. Who will survive?

Whew!

Whatever Wednesday - Epic Saga

 The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai is a tour de force of a saga. It is 670 pages - a dense heavy book that takes you to  NYC, Delhi and Goa India, and Mexico.  cover blurb - it is a sweeping tale of two young people navigating the many forces that shape their lives: country, class, race, history, and the complicated bonds that link one generation to the next. A love story, a family saga, and a rich novel of ideas, it was worthy of being shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize. 

Grandparents in India try to matchmake Sonia (in Vermont) and Sunny (in NYC). The clumsy meddling only launches a grand adventure as we watch each of them diverge and converge in their lives. The chapters switch tales, countries, and time periods. The various boyfriends, girl friends, parents, and grandparents, along with servants, and friends are richly drawn and add quite the backdrop to Sonia and Sunny's story. 

The writing is impeccable. 

p. 244   Travel stories made a person competitive, even about the places he had already seen, let alone the ones he hadn't.  "Greece? Dour lot. No fun in them since B.C. The only time they become jolly is when they get drunk and throw the plates about. There's nothing to  see but a heap of stone."   It was little blips like this that made me laugh out loud. 

p. 253 Sonia returned to India from America "because it's lonely."   She said, "It's the premise of being American. You are an individual, therefore you are alone. Therefore you must be able to do everything by yourself. Rent a car at an airport, drive yourself cross country to a job in a place you've never heard of, defeat your enemies, trap a rat, make money to pay bills to look after yourself even when you are dying - "       ( IMO - Observations like this are brilliant. )

p. 294  And when was it that Sunny had learned the US was only about one thing? In the morning when he turned on public radio it began: race, race, race.........the conversation came down in a hammer blow - Race!

p. 660  The universe tries everything it can to prevent love. If one thing doesn't work to keep two people apart, then it tries another. Darkness follows darkness, across geographies, across centuries. It has its own life, unspooling.

It has been awhile since I've read a novel like The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. This is a WOW!  It's not easy, but it's compelling, impressive, intriguing, and so rich in language and story telling. 

Standing ovation.  

Finally Friday - Memorial Weekend

 

The real and lasting victories are those of peace and not of war - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Unfortunately, wars occur and valiant soldiers do their duty, serve their country and lose their lives for the cause. This Memorial Weekend, amidst the pool openings, picnics, cookouts, and beers, let's remember the  fallen and salute their efforts. 

As John Lennon  sang, "All we are saying, give peace  a chance."   Make  Love, Not War

Peace, Please

Whatever Wednesday - All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett

 All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett is a fun read exploring class, privilege, and staying true to yourself. 

Anna grew up reading Jane Austen novels, dreaming of balls versus her own reality as a kid on food stamps. After college, Anna gets to London but it's hard work living paycheck to paycheck. As a tutor for a teenage daughter, she meets the Wilders. Suddenly, she's in Saint Tropez on  a work holiday. Parties, excess, handsome rich young men. It's a whirlwind. One fellow wants to whisk her into his world, another sees her trying to "fake it to make it".  How will she reconcile her reality and her dreams?

This is not a new tale, but Everett imbues Anna's story with humor, grace, and plenty of humble pie. It's easy to like Anna and  also be inwardly shouting,"noooooo",as she  makes mistakes. The book is a page turner with some interesting twists and turns and a satisfying conclusion. 

I give it five stars for fun and descriptions of great scenery. 

Monday Moments - The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan

 book blurb - On the Run from One Enemy.  At the Mercy of Another.  

Whew!

The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan follows Emil and  Adeline Martel. It's late March 1944. Stalin's pushed into Ukraine.  Do they wait for this intrusion and the chance of being sent to Siberia. Or  do  they follow the wolves - murderous Nazi officers who have pledged to protect "pure blood Germans?

This book is well researched and keeps the pages turning. It's a tough, brutal, complex tale. How to survive?  How to keep hopes of immigrating west alive?  It's hard work to find freedom. 

This story starts in 1944.  I found it very sad in one regard - are we going backward from  progress made after WWII?   Lots to think about. 

Finally Friday - Kimbell Art Museum Dazzles Again

The Kimbell Art Museum (Fort Worth,TX) once again brings a glorious exhibit of history and very shiny things.  The Holy Sepulcher - Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem is wonderful. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the  place where, according to tradition, Jesus Christ  was crucified, buried, and rose  from the dead. So much treasure has stayed intact, cared for since the 1300s by Franciscan friars.  It's been safeguarded in  Jerusalem and rediscovered in the 1980s. 

This is a preservation of liturgical treasures - given by kings. The finest goldsmiths and embroiders from France, Spain, Portugal, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Italian states, used gold, silver, precious stones, and textiles to honor the holy.  
 (brochure blurb)

gold, precious stones - breathtaking

vestments embroidered in gold.  The detail is exquisite

This silver metal piece depicts Christ's rise from death.  In person, it's fabulous

gold with lapis lazuli inlay.  You have to say, "Holy......!!"

The Kimbell is a wonderful museum with lovely exhibition space. The spacing, the lighting, the magnificent art - awe inspiring history. 

Whatever Wednesday - The Devil Wears Prada 2

Heck yeah - I took myself to the movies on Friday May 8th.  I did my homework first and watched the original  Devil Wears Prada.  I had actually seen it several times with  my father during his last year. He knew the plot, could follow along, and he enjoyed Meryl.  So it was also imperative, a bit of a salute to him (gone two years as of 5/9), that I see The Devil Wears Prada 2 immediately.  

Of course there's some apprehension. Will it be silly? Will it be lousy? What story line and how have they handled aging characters? 

No worries. We launch back into the world of fashion, journalism, and the hustle bustle of NYC with aplomb. The story handles the onslaught of mergers, artificial intelligence, aging, and the money/power combo. I'm not going into the minutiae, just trust me it all works. 

Our stars, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, and Stanley Tucci,  plus a bonus appearance by Lucy Liu, are all fabulous. They look great, and are so good in their various roles - working together or scheming.  Special shout outs to Meryl and Stanley - it's a master class. Just a smirk, an eye role,  a pause. Their timing is impeccable. 

And another character itself is  New York City  - the  glam, the money side, the hustle bustle, and the  "little apartments" (HA!)  I love it and soak it in. 

So - big thumbs up from  me.  If you liked the original, you'll be very happy.

As Miranda (Meryl) says...."That's all."

"Go"

 

Monday Moments - at the Amon Carter - Black Photojournalism

Gordon  Parks - Emerging Man, Harlem NY 1952 
 

Kwame Brathwaite - Changing Times 1973

The above are just two examples of  the over 250 photographs featured at the Amon Carter Museum (Fort Worth, TX) in a special exhibition on Black Photojournalism.  This shines a light on the groundbreaking work of more that sixty photographers working in the USA from 1945 to the mid-1980s. The photojournalists documented pivotal historical events as well as the richness of everyday life. (exhibit brochure)

A friend and I enjoyed our time spent looking at all of  the photos and discussing some of the history involved. I grew up in PA, she grew up in Louisiana. Different perspectives of stories  told, stories remembered.  This is  a very worthwhile exhibit and very  well presented. Lots  to think  about from the black perspective/ human perspective and the importance of recording moments for posterity. 

Kudos to the Amon Carter for getting this exhibit as organized by the Carnegie Museum of Art. 

Finally Friday - The News From Dublin

 Finally Friday and you read The News from Dublin title of this  blog post. Did you think I was off traveling again? Fooled you. This is a book of short stories  by Colm Toibin. It is a lovely journey - nine short stories set in Ireland, Spain, and  America. His work covers the complexities of family, longing, and love. (cover blurb)

Toibin writes with ease - complex dynamics, haunting pull of the past, and the quiet revelations that define our lives. Whether navigating the aftermath of war, forbidden love, the longings of a Catalan girl in Argentina, or  the  quiet  struggles of mundane life, all are rendered with  illuminating empathy and insight. (cover blurb)

I enjoyed dipping in and out of this book and peering into others' lives. Very well written and rich tales told. 

Whatever Wednesday - Final Farewell

After the river cruise, we had lunch at an old hacienda.  After eating, we  had time to stroll the grounds. This big fella was hanging out in  the tree. Quite the iguana

Just some last looks at flora

Pretty colors

And Final sunset farewell to Costa Rica

I hope you've enjoyed my blog tour, and have the opportunity to visit the gorgeous friendly welcoming country of  Costa Rica

Adios, amigos
 

Monday Moments - Thriller

 Last day of April  was a dreary  blah day. I decided a movie could brighten the mood. Can't go wrong with  a Motown beat. Michael proved entertaining to me. This film covers the beginning of the Jackson 5 in Gary, Indiana. Little Michael is clearly the star - perfect pitch, soul, and a sadness/joy mix to his tiny demeanor. Coleman Domingo as Joseph Jackson, the  father, does a great job of showing the overbearing dad determined to use his sons for greater glory. He even uses the term "money machine" when referring to Michael. 

Sure enough, Berry Gordy, Motown founder hears and sees the magic in Michael and his brothers. They skyrocket.  The movie then pivots to Jaafar Jackson (yes, a relative of Michael) playing Michael as a teen, ready to move on from the J5. He has so much more to express. Jaafar does a very good job - the smile, the moves, the unique voice. The beat!  Off the Wall,  Billie Jean, Beat It, Thriller, the meteoric rise...

the Moon Walk dance! 

The movie shows the Pepsi commercial incident, the final J5 tour, and then the Thriller phenomenon. The movie alludes to Michael's weird childhood, the Neverland connection, etc., but doesn't go to the dark side. 

There have been other, better musical biographies but for $7 I escaped for two hours into good music. 

Finally Friday - River Cruise in Costa Rica

Nearing the end of our Costa Rica adventure.  A little river cruise

a heron of some sort

this is a line of bats sleeping.  They make it look like a snake on the tree.   Creepy!

Tough to spot the howler monkeys

Um, glad we were on the boat.  Crocodile!

Hope your nature encounters this weekend have less teeth.  

Happy May Day!