Good morning. Can it really be Sunday again? Twin B has been on spring break and the week flew by. We spent a lot of time together - shopping, lunch, movies, dog walks (it was in the 60's on Thursday), watching The Big East Basketball Tournament, and yes, even reading. She had two plays assigned over break, while I managed to keep current with Clarissa and read several short stories.
It was a quiet week at Lakeside Musing - no reviews posted and no books completed. It's starting to feel like I haven't finished a book in ages! Clarissa, of course, will take the entire year and The Makioka Sisters is a wonderful book, but a very slow read. I did post about my latest trip to the library and will hopefully tackle those pending reviews this week.
Good news - my ipod works again! It seems the latest version of iTunes somehow required an extra step to sync, but I'm back in business now and listening to You Deserve Nothing by Alexander Maksik. Thanks for all your suggestions.
My book club met on Friday to discuss State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. I liked it more than most, but will save the details for another post. Up next is A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan, a book I have been avoiding. We'll see how it goes...
Today's plans are still up in the air, but we're hoping to see A Separation at the nearby art cinema. It recently won the oscar for best foreign language film and is only playing for a week, so now is the time! I hope you have a good Sunday... did you remember to turn the clocks ahead?
I know what you mean about not finishing a book in ages. I finally finished a book yesterday for the first time in over a week.
ReplyDeleteA Visit from the Goon Squad is a book that I've been avoiding also. Maybe it's because of the hype or the author's big mouth. Either way I'm looking forward to your review whenever you get to it.
Have a great Sunday.
Vasilly - I have mixed feelings about reading A Visit From the Goon Squad, but then that's exactly why I'm in a book club to begin with... to read things I wouldn't normally choose. Hope you're enjoying the weekend.
DeleteOh! I LOVED Goon Squad on audio. Loved it. If you go that route, though, just remember to go with it. It jumps around a little, so don't expect anything linear. But it makes your brain buzz. I loved State of Wonder too, but people are pretty bi-polar on that book. I noticed that A Separation is also playing at our indie theater. Trying to figure out how to squeeze it in.
ReplyDeleteSandy - I just went back and read your review of Goon Squad, then used an audible credit to download it! I'm ready for the challenge, but will have a print copy from the library just in case ;-)
DeleteIsn't an amazing how fast a week goes by?? It does sound like you both enjoyed your time together and you can't beat that wonderful day of weather!! It seems like we will be having nice weather this week too!! I think it's wonderful that you were unplugged!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great Sunday!
Staci - Thanks, it was a really nice week. Things will be back to normal for a few days, then my oldest daughter comes home for spring break on Friday.
DeleteI'm reading State of Wonder soon, I hope I enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteAnd isn't it amazing how quickly weeks can go by when they are holiday weeks rather than work weeks? I had a busy week at work last week and it really felt like the week dragged....
Sam - I think you'll enjoy State of Wonder. It's quite a story!
DeleteI'l be interested to see what your thoughts are on Goon Squad. That was a DNF for me. Just couldn't get into it. (Another one where I am very much in the minority of book bloggers!) And I am with you on the reading ... I feel as if my reading is definitely slowing down a bit lately, too.
ReplyDeleteMelissa - After avoiding Goon Squad for so long, I'm really curious to see how I react to it. Hope both of our reading picks up a little this week!
DeleteI have to admit I didn't like State of Wonder, but it had a lot to do with Patchett getting stuff wrong about my hometown and state long before she went to the jungle. I didn't trust her anymore by that point. So I'm totally rooting for Sisters Brothers to knock her out of the Tournament of Books. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat said, I loved the Egan. I've read it twice and will likely read it again someday.
Amy - Yes, I remember you had some local issues with State of Wonder. I'm pretty sure that would have ruined it for me, too. Will start Egan's novel in a couple of weeks.
DeleteI hear you on not finishing books, I've been reading John Sayles' A Moment in the Sun for what feels like forever (in reality it's been almost a month), but it is a sprawling nearly 1,000 page novel so...
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a big fan of Goon Squad, minority opinion I know. I mean it was fine, I just wasn't blown away by it like so many seemed to be. I still need to read State of Wonder, it's been sitting on my shelf since Powell's sent it to me from the Indiespensable program.
Have a great Sunday!
Victoria - Sometimes I shy away from really long books simply because they take so long to finish, but I'm trying to get away from that thinking this year. Opinions on Goon Squad have been across the board just on the comments I've received today...it's making me wonder even more how I'll react.
DeleteI am curious about State of Fire by Pachett. Have a good reading week!
ReplyDeleteHarvee - I've enjoyed all of Patchett's books, but State of Wonder was one of my favorites.
DeleteIt does sound like you had a wonderful week! Can't wait to hear what you think of Goon Squad. My book club was set to read it last year but swapped it out with The Tiger's Wife last minute because one of the gals had already read Goon Squad and hated it which scared everyone else off.
ReplyDeleteLisa - I'm really curious to see how I'll react to Goon Squad. Hope to start it before the end of the month. The more I think about it, I'm really glad my book club decided to read it because I certainly would not pick it up on my own.
DeleteHaha, really, Sunday already?!?! This week just rushed by! I've read some passages from the Goon Squad and was intrigued by the writing style. Seems interesting. I didn't finish anything this week, reviewed something I read three weeks ago...
ReplyDeleteI imagine early spring at the lake must be beautiful, can we expect a new header soon? I love them!
Ivana - Last week was such a blur - happy, but a blur nonetheless :-) The ice on the lake is just starting to break up, so I should have an early spring header within the next couple of weeks.
DeleteI enjoyed State of Wonder very much. All that wrestling with anacondas is so different from my day-to-day life! I'm glad Patchett made the Orange long list.
ReplyDeleteVintage Reading - LOL! Yes, that anaconda wrestling was pretty far removed from my everyday life, too ;-)
DeleteI liked State of Wonder a lot as well. Sounds like you had a great week with your daughter.
ReplyDeleteDiane - It really was a nice week! This week we'll be back to normal, then my oldest daughter comes home on Friday for her break. Hope you have a good week ahead!
DeleteI really liked State of Wonder which surprised me because I couldn't finish Bel Canto.
ReplyDeleteIsn't this Spring like weather great? I had dinner at an outside table on Thursday night - unheard of in early March!
Booksnyc - I have read all of Patchett's books and I'm not surprised you couldn't finish Bel Canto. It was my least favorite of the bunch! Just can't beat this weather... and it looks like we'll be warm all week!
DeleteI hope you got a chance to see A Separation, I really want to see that. The critics were very lavish in their praise of it.
ReplyDeleteAmy - We did get to see A Separation last night, It was a very intense film, but the ending took us all by surprise.
DeleteI'm v interested in your thoughts on You Deserve Nothing and ...Goon Squad, two books I've been avoiding due to hype and/or drama.
ReplyDeleteAudra - You Deserve Nothing drew me in right away. Funny, but I've heard very little about this book (other than Jackie's review) and don't have many expectations.
DeleteSunday came up fast. Monday came up even quicker and as I type this, it is nearly 2pm where I am. My day is almost over. Counting the minutes.
ReplyDeleteTi - It seems like life is in the 'fast forward' mode at the moment, but I'm hoping we gat a little break soon.
DeleteJoAnn -- most of the to do about it was over the accusation that it was based on his real life affair with a student -- friends who read it were split over it as a result.
ReplyDeleteAudra - OMG, I had no idea! Thank you so much for the link! That article will definitely have an effect on my reading (listening) of the novel. I had actually been wondering if it had any basis in reality...
DeleteYou're welcome -- I hope I didn't spoil it for you and I'm sorry if I did! Friends who had read the book before this broke really loved the novel but felt they had to reevaluate their feelings given the accusations. It really made me sit down and think about artist vs creation, when is autobiographical too autobiographical, etc. I'm committing that most horrible of sins, too: judging without having read, eek! Anyway, I really look forward to your thoughts on this one!
DeleteAudra - No worries about spoiling! I just read/listened to the beginning of the affair today. This has really given me so much more to think about. I'm guessing tomorrow's walk will be much longer... can't wait to get back to it now!
DeleteI've heard Goon Squad is really good. I bought it ages ago but haven't read it yet. I was one of those boneheads who forgot to turn her clock ahead. lol. Poor Sammy was out of sorts all day.
ReplyDeleteDarlene - I've been thinking about Goon Squad more this week and decided that the main reason I'm in a book club is to make me read books I wouldn't chooses otherwise, so this is exactly what I've been looking for. We'll see how it goes!
DeleteI've been avoiding A Visit From the Goon Squad too. I start it and then stop it after a few pages. It's hard reading. I am determined to read it however for t he award posts at Quirky Girls. Good luck with your reading.
ReplyDeleteMargot - You've gotten farther with Goon Squad than I have! Think this is going to be a combination read/listen for me... hope to start within the next week.
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