The scene// 8AM Sunday morning, black coffee, and my laptop
Reading// I finished Mister Owita's Guide to Gardening by Susan Wall - a touching memoir of friendship and illness, with gardening as a backdrop.
Anna Quindlen is always a favorite, especially her nonfiction. I was surprised when my library hold of her latest novel, Still Life with Bread Crumbs, came in yesterday. The last time I checked, there were quite a few patrons ahead of me... always a mystery how that happens. Anyway, I read the first few chapters and look forward to sitting by the lake and reading more later today
Listening// I finished Empty Mansions by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell. What a fascinating story! Can't wait to discuss this one with my book club on Friday.
Now I've moved onto Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink. This is about events at that hospital in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina - instantly unputdownable! I foresee longer walks this week.
Participating In// I'm very excited to be part of Spoken Freely Presents: Summer Shorts '14 blog tour this year. Poetry Week begins tomorrow and I'm hosting a 2-day series featuring the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay and a few of my favorite narrators. Be sure to check back on Wednesday and Thursday.
On the blog//
- my recommendations for your beach bag
- This Week in the Kitchen: chicken on the grill, a corn, tomato, and avocado salad, and a gorgeous cookbook
Later today// A long walk, a little reading, then my parents and siblings are coming over for dinner and our first boat ride of the season. I really need to work on some blog posts, too.
What are you up to today?
This post will link to It's Monday! What are you Reading? hosted at Book Journey.
I enjoyed Still Life with Bread Crumbs, an outdoors kind of late blooming romance.
ReplyDeletehttp://bookdilettante.blogspot.com/2014/06/sunday-salon-beginning-summer-reading.html
Harvee - The first couple of chapters seem promising. Glad to know you enjoyed it!
DeleteI can relate, although for me lately I've been spending more time blogging and it seemed like less time reading (although last week was better). You have some pretty good selections on your Top Ten... look like great summer reads.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the boat ride!
Greg - Funny how we seem to alternate between blogging and reading. Hope you have a great week.
DeleteI really enjoyed Still Life With Bread Crumbs and hope you do too.
ReplyDeleteHave a great reading week and thanks for visiting my blog.
Catherine - I'm sure I will... Anna Quindlen never disappoints me.
DeleteI've also been reading more than writing - and watching too much TV as well. And if I wait too long after I finish a book, I have a very hard time writing about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to look for the Susan Wall book. I haven't heard of her before, but the book sounds lovely.
Lisa - It definitely gets harder to write a review as time passes... I'm going to be in trouble pretty soon ;-)
DeleteReading is definitely more fun than writing! My to be reviewed pile is getting out of control!
ReplyDeleteKathy - I'm just going to sit down and crank out a bunch of reviews, eventually ;-)
DeleteIsn't it odd how library books magically appear? I'll put in a hold request during the month of February, and all of a sudden six will be ready for pick up at once in May. Weird. Still, reading more than blogging can't be all bad. ;) Xo
ReplyDeleteBellezza - Library hold lists have always been such a mystery. There must be other variables I know nothing about. Love your new avatar!
DeleteI love everything Anna Quindlen writes...and LOVED Still Life with Bread Crumbs. Hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog....
Laurel-Rain Snow - Anna Quindlen can always be counted on for a wonderful story or a thoughtful essay. She's one of my favorites!
DeleteI really want to read Still Life with Bread Crumbs and Empty Mansions. I just finished The Phantom of Fifth Avenue about Huguette Clark and loved it so I'm really interested to see how Empty Mansions is different. Mister Owita sounds like a lovely story. I'll have to look for all of these! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - And now I'm curious about The Phantom of Fifth Avenue! I couldn't find your email address on your blogger profile, but if you'd like my copy of Empty Mansions, I'd be happy to pass it on to you. You can send me your mailing address (jqsteve@gmail.com) and I'll get it out to you after our book club meeting.
DeleteI've been reading lots this week, too. And surfing the web, reading about books that I then add to my never-ending list. :-)
ReplyDeleteMost libraries have a formula for ordering based on holds requests. For example my library has a 4:1 policy. 4 holds to one copy of the book. So if we've ordered two copies of something and there are suddenly 20 holds on it we'll order more copies to fulfill that formula. So, it could be that your library ordered additional copies of the Quindlen book and you were able to get it faster.
Anbolyn - That's so interesting... I'll have to ask my librarian friend if there is a formula like that!
DeleteI hope my library gets a copy of Five Days at Memorial, because it sounds like one I should read. Enjoy your boat ride!
ReplyDeleteCarrie - Sandy said Five Days at Memorial is the new Henrietta Lacks. I loved that book, too, and am instantly engaged with Five Days. We had so much fun on the boat today!
DeleteI don't often get into phases like that, but when I do, I just happily drop everything and read. I wish that happened often though.
ReplyDeleteAthira - I think I'm just going to embrace this reading phase... who knows how long it will last?!
DeleteI'm kinda where you are -- reading quite a bit, but not feeling like sitting down to write any reviews. I think I need to clean some up with mini reviews. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I was just thinking the same thing... maybe a series of mini-reviews would work to get things cleaned up. Hope you have a great week, too!
DeleteI'll be interested to hear your thoughts on Still Life with Bread Crumbs…my aunt has been on a Quindlen kick and has been urging me to give her a try (I know…weird that I've never read her!!).
ReplyDeleteSarah - I like Quindlen's nonfiction much more than her fiction. Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake is an all-time favorite, but I think you need to be 50 (or pretty close) to really appreciate it. One True Thing and Object Lessons are my favorites of her novels.
DeleteI definitely get into phases like that. I just recently started over fresh for my review list. I was THAT overwhelmed! Hopefully it wont happen again!
ReplyDeleteHillary - Now that's an idea I should consider :)
DeleteYou read a nice looking bunch of books. A boat ride sounds like fun too. It is a bit gray and gloomy here this morning. That is good for reading time though. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - It turn out to be a little overcast here, too, but it was nice to get out on the lake for the first time this season. Here's to a long, peaceful summer with lots of books!
DeleteI've been in a phase like that all year. Great for reading... bad for blogging! I've been really wanting to read Five Days. Definitely a book to make you walk longer.
ReplyDeleteJennifer - Five Days at Memorial is SO good!! I'll definitely get in plenty of walking time this week ;-)
DeleteI enjoyed this story. I think you may like that most of it is in Upstate NY.
ReplyDeletePat - I love the Upstate NY angel! Hope to read a little bit more tonight.
DeleteThat corn salad sounds amazing!!
ReplyDeleteStill Life with Breadcrumbs looks amazing!
Quixotic Magpie - We finished off the last of the salad tonight, and I can't wait to read more of Still Life With Bread Crumbs.
DeleteYayyy! I'm glad you found Empty Mansions fascinating. I seem to recommend that book as often as I can. :D
ReplyDeleteAndi- What an amazing story! This was the perfect read/listen combo because they had actual conversation with Hugeutte on the audio... she sounds so engaged and upbeat. I may need to seek out The Phantom of Fifth Avenue and see if they have a different perspective.
DeleteI used to never get behind on reviews and then I participated in the read-a-thon in April and haven't caught up since!
ReplyDeleteFive Days at Memorial looks like it would scare/sadden me. I look forward to seeing what you think.
Stacybuckeye - I couldn't even tell you the last time I was caught up on reviews! Five Days at Memorial is both sad and scary, but fascinating, too.
DeleteHow is Five Days on audio? I'm not sure I could drive and listen to it and that's the only time I listen. Might get so pissed that I drove a little too aggressively!
ReplyDeleteLisa - It's a great audio (much better than print, I'm sure), but I'm absolutely horrified at the lack of preparedness and magnitude of human suffering. Still have 2/3 of the book to go, but my blood is already boiling!
Delete