Shelf Control #337: Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman

Posted in Shelf Control by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

Welcome to Shelf Control — an original feature created and hosted by Bookshelf Fantasies.

Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up! For more info on what Shelf Control is all about, check out my introductory post, here.

Want to join in? Shelf Control posts go up every Wednesday. See the guidelines at the bottom of the post, and jump on board!

Title: Domestic Violets
Author: Matthew Norman
Published: 2011
Length: 329 pages

What it’s about (synopsis via Goodreads):

Tom Violet always thought that by the time he turned thirty-five, he’d have everything going for him. Fame. Fortune. A beautiful wife. A satisfying career as a successful novelist. A happy dog to greet him at the end of the day.

The reality, though, is far different. He’s got a wife, but their problems are bigger than he can even imagine. And he’s written a novel, but the manuscript he’s slaved over for years is currently hidden in his desk drawer while his father, an actual famous writer, just won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His career, such that it is, involves mind-numbing corporate buzzwords, his pretentious archnemesis Gregory, and a hopeless, completely inappropriate crush on his favorite coworker. Oh . . . and his dog, according to the vet, is suffering from acute anxiety.

Tom’s life is crushing his soul, but he’s decided to do something about it. (Really.) Domestic Violets is the brilliant and beguiling story of a man finally taking control of his own happiness—even if it means making a complete idiot of himself along the way.

How and when I got it:

I received this book as a gift, as part of a book group book swap several years ago.

Why I want to read it:

My book group used to do book exchanges once or twice a year, where we’d draw random names and then send that person a few gently used books that we hoped they’d enjoy. I received a copy of Domestic Violets as part of package that included a few other paperbacks — honestly, I don’t remember which other books came with this one, but I do know that I’ve yet to crack this one open!

I don’t know that I would have chosen Domestic Violets on my own — I’m not as drawn to stories about adults taking a shot at adulting as I am to other genres and story tropes.

This book has an average rating of 3.86 on Goodreads, and I see some very positive reviews from people whose tastes are usually in line with mine, so that’s a good sign. Plus, my book group friends all are avid readers with wide-ranging interests, and I know that if one of them thought this book was good enough to recommend, then it’s probably worth the time to read.

I’m feeling pretty on the fence, though — I’ve had this books for years now, and haven’t yet felt the urge to pick it up and get started. I’d love to hear other readers’ opinions!

What do you think? Would you read this book? And if you’ve read it, do you recommend it?

Please share your thoughts!

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Write a blog post about a book that you own that you haven’t read yet.
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4Oct2022

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookstores are my weakness… and I’m not sorry!

Posted in Top Ten Tuesday by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Favorite Bookstores OR Bookstores I’d Love to Visit. Having just returned from a one-week vacation during which I visited about five different bookstores, I feel like this topic is just perfect for me!

Some of my favorites are:

1. Borderlands Books (San Francisco, CA): An awesome independent bookstore that’s been around for 20+ years, specializing in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. I’ve attended some truly great events here — and fun fact: This bookstore is featured in the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire. How cool is that?

2. Green Apple Books (San Francisco, CA): A huge used book store that’s a San Francisco institution!

3. The Strand (New York, NY) — I don’t get to New York nearly as often as I’d like, but when I do go, a visit to The Strand is a must!

4. Title Wave Books (Anchorage, AK): I’ve managed to visit Title Wave Books (and how awesome is that name?) on two different trips to Anchorage. It’s a big, sprawling used book store — so much to look at and explore.

5. Book Worm (Boulder, CO): Another used book store that I’ve now been to twice. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but inside it’s an absolute maze of shelving and great books and weird, unusual finds. I could (and have) spent hours there!

6. Russell Books (Victoria, BC): Another terrific used book store that I stumbled upon once during a vacation. Are we detecting a theme yet? Hint: I can’t resist a great used book store!!

7. Sefer Ve Sefel (Jerusalem, Israel): I’m just amazed to discover that this bookstore still exists! I remember going there to stock up on American paperbacks while studying abroad in Israel many, many (MANY!) years ago.

And bookstores I’d love to visit are:

8. Powell’s Books (Portland, OR): I mean, Powell’s is just legendary! I’ve never been to Portland, but I’d very much like to get there someday… and if I do, this store will be a must-see.

9. Shakespeare and Company (Paris): Dreaming big here! A trip to Paris + books??? What could be better?

10. Poisoned Pen (Phoenix, AZ): I’ve been to an author event sponsored by this store, but have never actually been inside. Poisoned Pen is the local bookstore for a few favorite authors, including Diana Gabaldon, and is an amazing source for signed editions of new releases.

Have you been to any of my favorites? What do you love most about your favorite bookstores?

If you wrote a TTT post, please share your link!

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3Oct2022

The Monday Check-In ~ 10/3/2022

Posted in The Monday Check-In by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

Life.

I’m back from a wonderful week visiting my daughter in Colorado! We spent a few days in and around Rocky Mountain National Park, then hung out back at her place in Boulder for the rest of the week. Fun hiking, a night-time tour of the Stanley Hotel (the inspiration for The Shining), delicious local restaurants and a cider brewery, lots of bookstores, and great mother-daughter time — what more could I ask for?

Now I’m back, catching up on work and household stuff, and hoping to hang onto my vacation cheer for just a bit longer.

What did I read during the last week?

Here’s everything I’ve read and reviewed since my last Monday Check-in post two weeks ago:

Fairy Tale by Stephen King: Captivating, magical, and altogether worth the time and effort! My review is here.

Travel by Bullet (The Dispatcher, #3) by John Scalzi: Another terrific audiobook in a sci-fi/noir series full of very cool twists. My review is here.

And check out my wrap-up of what I read on vacation:

Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory
Heading Over the Hill by Judy Leigh
Where We End & Begin by Jane Igharo
Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Pop culture & TV:

I’m behind on everything, but can’t wait to start the new season of Abbott Elementary and to check out Interview With the Vampire!

Fresh Catch:

Right before I left town, I got some unexpected book mail — an ARC that I didn’t realize was coming. Hurray!

Then, while away, my daughter and I visited A LOT of awesome bookstores, and I indulged a bit. This one I bought new, and will be saving to savor in the new year:

And these are from a used bookstore… where I showed greater-than-usual restraint (keeping in mind that anything I bought would have to get packed in my already stuffed carry-on):

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty: Just started on Sunday, but I’m liking it so far! Not really surprising, as I’ve really enjoyed everything else I’ve read by this author.

Now playing via audiobook:

Welcome to the School by the Sea by Jenny Colgan: This author is always a favorite, and I’m really enjoying this sweet story set at a boarding school in Cornwall. This book is a reissue of a novel published under a pseudonym over 10 years ago — I actually have a paperback edition that I picked up a few years back but hadn’t read yet, and now that the books are being reintroduced, it seemed like a good time to finally jump in.

Ongoing reads:

My longer-term reading commitments:

My on-going reads may be getting a little out of control!! As of this week, I have all of these in the works… plus whatever my current book and audiobook happen to be.

Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon: Over at Outlander Book Club, we’re doing a group read of BEES, reading and discussing two chapters per week. If anyone wants to join us, just ask me how! All are welcome.
Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci: I may end up putting this one aside for now — it’s a collection of stories that I’m dipping into a bit at a time, but given all my other reading commitments, this one will probably be lowest priority.
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain: My Classics Club Spin book. I’m reading via Serial Reader, currently at 66%. So much fun!
A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny: I read this last year for the first time, and I’m joining the many fans who make reading this book an annual tradition each October. There’s a chapter for each day of the month, and it’s just delightful.
Persuasion by Jane Austen: My book group’s current classic read. I’ve read this several times already, but I’m always up for another go! We’ll be reading and discussing two chapters per week, starting today.

So many books, so little time…

2Oct2022

Travel reading wrap-up (fall 2022): A batch of mini-reviews — all sorts of love!

Posted in Book Reviews by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

I’m back from a one-week trip, which was fabulous… and while I read quite a bit, I don’t have energy just yet to write full-length reviews. So… here’s a quick look at what I read while I was away. Lots of love stories — some dramatic, one that’s utterly silly, and one charmer that includes love, friendship, and pure delight. Read on if you want to know more!

Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory: A steamy story of workplace romance, set amidst the wineries of Napa Valley. Margot Noble, co-owner of a family winery, has a one-night stand with a hot guy she meets at a bar, only to discover the next day that he’s her new employee. The book explores the intense connection and chemistry between Margot and Luke, but also delves into family dynamics, career frustrations and expectations, and issues around honesty and self-awareness. The romance is steamy but also sweet, and I loved the dynamics between Margot and Luke.

Rating:

Heading Over the Hill by Judy Leigh: I’ve been seeing other bloggers’ rave reviews for Judy Leigh’s books for quite a while now, and finally had the chance to experience one for myself! Pure delight — this is the story of Dawnie and Billy, a married couple in their early seventies, who decide to move to a new town and focus on starting over again, just the two of them. Between his Harley and her colorful wigs, they’re a shock to their conservative neighbors, but soon end up making a huge, positive impact on everyone they encounter. The story is engaging, funny, but also quite heartfelt — there are elements that explores the characters’ sorrows as well as joys, and at one point, it even brought me to tears. Overall, I loved it — and I just wish I had a Dawnie in my life!!

Rating:

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto: After having this paperback on my shelf for about a year, I finally picked it up — and I have to say, this is quintessential vacation reading! Super silly, not at all intellectually challenging, and just oodles of fun. When Meddy and her meddlesome aunties get involved in an over-the-top Chinese-Indonesian wedding, they also find themselves dealing with an inconvenient corpse, stolen jewels, and the reappearance of Meddy’s college boyfriend — her one true love and the one who got away. The escapades here are preposterous and outrageously unbelievable… but so much fun to read and laugh over! I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series, Four Aunties and a Wedding.

Rating:

Where We End & Begin by Jane Igharo: This is the most dramatic and serious of my batch of vacation books — the story of Dunni and Obinna, high school sweethearts with an intense bond who were cruelly separated by their families, as they reunite at a friends’ wedding in Nigeria twelve years later. With alternating timelines showing their present reconnection and the traumatic events of their past, the book gives us a deep understanding of how these two characters ended up where they are. I loved the exploration of the class differences in their society and how their families’ histories influenced how they were treated, as well as the insights into their individual decision-making and struggles. There are some truly painful revelations, as well as lovely moments of connection and understanding. This is a beautiful, sad, complicated story, well worth checking out.

Rating: