The Rose Code by Kate Quinn is a historical fiction that is difficult to put down. It is about Bletchley Park, the location of the code breakers in the UK during WWII. The history is fascinating, though I must say I have trouble understanding how these code machines work.

(Video of the Enigma Machine: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CspaXNkC2ec
(Video of Bombe Machine: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH2H7v4HTJ4

But what I love about Quinn's book, more than the history, are her characters. Although I opened this newsletter with It's Time to Meet Beth, there are three main characters you won't want to miss. Osla is a pretty, rich girl who society sees as a decoration and empty-headed despite her ability to speak two languages fluently. Mab, short for Mabel, is a very poor London woman who intends to pull herself out of poverty despite a secret that she feels could ruin her. And Beth.

Beth is a spinster who believes she is below average. Until the war, she believes she will always live at home and be "mummy's little helper." But then, she meets Osla and Mab and discovers she can solve puzzles - the kind of puzzles code breakers solve and becomes one of the few women cryptanalysts.

The story focuses on the war and the codes, but it also focuses on the friendship between these three women from completely different backgrounds and with completely different reasons for going to Bletchley Park. It also explores what secrets and war can do to friendships.

Plus, just to make it better, there is love, scandal, intrigue, an insane asylum, and a ... traitor!
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I loved this book from beginning to end. If you've read it, let me know your thoughts. If you haven't, definitely put it on your TBR list.

I love today's word, though I can't imagine why someone would need to be one - what with so many books available for purchase and library loan!

A biblioklept is someone who steals books. I imagine such a person loves books. I also imagine that they just don't feel they can have enough books. 

Are their homes full of bookshelves, loaded to the gills with books? Or do they hide the books in nooks and crannies around the house, under the bed, or stash them secretly in dresser draws?

Do they stick to one genre, going entirely for something like historical fiction? Or will any book do, even something as mundane as a 2nd grade math book?

Finally, why? Why steal when you can buy or borrow? Why steal when there are so many free books online? 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on being a biblioklept. Tell me where they store them, what they steal, and why. Who knows what story might come from these answers!

Also, take a look at Plain Spoken Pen's word of the week as well as all those listed below! And if you have a word you love, be sure to leave me a comment. Who knows, it could be next week's word!

I love words and share a new one every Monday. As it turns out, so does my great friend over at The Plain Spoken Pen. She invited me to be part of Blog Hop this week when her word and mine worked so well together. But enough jabbering. Let's find out about the words!

My word today is Morgenmuffel. This is a German noun that describes someone who wakes with difficulty. I imagine someone with their hair standing every which way, eyes half open, and a slight scowl at the thought of getting the day started. 

Growing up, my brother was a morgenmuffel and always cried when he first woke. I always woke with a smile. Now, in our older age, he wakes at the crack of early thirty and I have taken on more of the morgenmuffel persona despite loving to get up and watch the sunrise on the beach. 

Who in your life is a morgenmuffel?

And The Plain Spoken Pen word is sloomy. Head on over to find out the definition.

And do you have a word to share? Add it in the link below.