Hello friends, happy March! Despite the disturbing dramas playing out on our national stage, things were pretty quiet around here last week. I enjoyed the MMD author talk with Charmaine Wilkerson on zoom, but otherwise tried to keep my schedule light so I could carve out an hour or two of reading time each afternoon... and it worked. I managed to finish three books!
Recent reading//
Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain
This chunky nonfiction classic from 1933 chronicles Vera Brittain's experiences as a young woman during the years surrounding WWI.
"Abandoning her studies at Oxford in 1915 to enlist as a nurse in the armed services, Brittain served in London, in Malta, and on the Western Front. By war's end she had lost virtually everyone she loved. Testament of Youth is both a record of what she lived through and an elegy for a vanished generation. "
I read this book with Tina and, to be honest, it was a bit of a slog... primarily due to the language. Brittain was such an intelligent woman, but her words seemed formal, stilted, and dated. Though the book is less than a hundred years old, it often felt older. I sometimes wondered if my time might have been better spent just watching the movie. That being said, I still found her account of the army hospitals in Malta and on the Western Front and her other war experiences fascinating. In general, the war sections were much easier reading and moved faster than the pre and post war years. I expect the film version would focus more on her personal life and losses, so I might not have gotten as much military and medical insight if I'd gone the film route.
My knowledge of WWI is embarrassingly limited. This is the only account from a woman's perspective I've read and I appreciate that it broadened my horizons. Of course from that era rampant misogyny was expected, but what really struck me was the sheer tragedy of it all... an entire generation of altered and lost lives. I'm glad I read this book, but doubt it would appeal to most readers.
⭐⭐⭐💫
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
This newly-published novel is Charmaine Wilkerson's follow-up to Black Cake. A short plot description says, "the daughter of an affluent Black family pieces together the connection between a childhood tragedy and a beloved heirloom." That is true, but there is so much more to it. A dual time line takes us from 1800s southern plantations, pottery sheds, and various seaports to present day life in coastal CT, Massachucsetts, and a tiny village in France. The novel explores the effect childhood trauma on adult life, along with race, freedom, and identity. I was rooting for the main character Ebony (Ebby) Freeman and her family throughout the novel. I appreciated the author's writing and googled to learn more about enslaved potters in South Carolina.
My only reservation was that the short chapters, which I usually love, made the time hops feel a little choppy. As a result I initially had trouble following the various generations and characters in the historical storyline. But overall, I enjoyed my reading experience and ultimately liked this book more than Black Cake.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
I loved this book when I read it last summer. In July I wrote on goodreads: Books, Maine, forgiveness and second chances. This feel-good story was a quick read - perfect for a summer weekend! It was every bit as good the second time around, even though it wasn't a summer weekend. I reread this in preparation for a Modern Mrs. Darcy book club discussion and author chat later this month.
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Current reading//
Three Apples Fell From the Sky by Narine Abgaryan, Lisa C. Hayden translator
I just started this last night, but think I'm going to enjoy it. More next week...
In the kitchen//
I've been on a salmon kick this winter, preparing it almost weekly. Since my recipe repertoire is limited, I tried another new one last week - Sheet Pan Crispy Honey Mustard Salmon with Broccoli from Gimme Some Oven. I love sheet pan dinners and this was no exception. My husband wasn't as wild about it... he said with all the "stuff" on top, he could hardly taste the salmon. But for me, that's part of the appeal ;-)
The week ahead//
Our other NYC daughter and son-in-law are here for the week. This time she is working remotely and he is on vacation. We have a few activities planned and a couple of dinner reservations, too. I'm sure there will be plenty of beach walks and maybe a bike ride or two.
How was your week? What have you been reading?
The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
