It's a cold, rainy morning in central New York... a good day to stay inside, watch some football, make soup, and read. I may even resort to walking on the treadmill for the first time in six months.
What a change from yesterday's sun and mild temperatures! Thankfully, most of our outdoor chores were accomplished then and I had time for a beautiful, long fall walk. After that, we enjoyed steaks on the grill and a crackling fire outdoors.
Overall, a good week. Dinner with old friends on Thursday and a new dryer installed on Friday were high points. We're looking at another week without a washing machine, but on the bright side, that means I get to spend more time with my parents. And that's always a treat.
Finished this week//
Starting Out in the Evening by Brian Morton
Beautifully written, but not quite as good as his most recent novel, Florence Gordon. Review coming soon.
Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal
An impressive debut and, thanks to January Lavoy's brilliant narration, one of my audio favorites of 2014. I'll work on a review this week.Current reading//
The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters
I was hooked after just a few pages and ended up downloading the audio version, too. Juliet Stevenson is the narrator... how could I resist?
The Hotel by Elizabeth Bowen
Ali mentioned a November discussion of this novel on the Facebook group, Undervalued Mid-20th Century British Women Writers. I'm not a member, but the summary interested me enough to download a sample to my kindle. Of course, I decided to "Buy now with 1-Click".On the blog//
Review - Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Speaking of Series... - five to begin, five to continue
Tuesday Intro - Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal
How was your week? What are you reading today?
This post will link to It's Monday, What Are You Reading? hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.
The weather sounds fantastic! We're going to have summery weather today, so I'm taking the kids to the park for a breakfast picnic. I'm looking forward to your review of Dollbaby. If you enjoyed it so much, I'll put it on my tbr list. Enjoy your day.
ReplyDeleteVasilly - Dollbaby definitely belongs on your list. It's one of the best audios I've listened to this year!
DeleteI'm glad it's still warm here - it's supposed to be in the 80s today. I'm not ready to put my sandals away.
ReplyDeleteKathy - We should get to the upper 60s tomorrow - can't wait. Snow in the forecast again this weekend though :(
DeleteWhat a beautiful picture! We have a gorgeous day here today too - actually I should get out and walk instead of reading blogs! LOL
ReplyDeleteJill - Thanks! The walk was worth it... I'm just now catching up with blog stuff.
DeleteIt is pretty here but still hot and no sign of rain anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI have The Paying Guests on audio too. I had it early on but the file was corrupted. The folks at Overdrive fixed it and the moved me to the top of the wait list again so I got it again yesterday. They are awesome!
Ti - Wow, that's impressive service! I had a long day in the car today and got to the end of Part 1...so good!
DeleteI hadn't thought about listening to The Paying Guest. Glad to hear it's good - I might have to download a copy!
ReplyDeleteJackie - Juliet Stevenson is one of my favorite narrators. She does a marvelous job with this book, too!
DeleteMaking soup, autumn walks and reading. Sounds good to me!
ReplyDeleteVintage Reading - Maybe a little tea, too ;-)
DeleteI'll gladly take some of your fall for you! It's that time of year when Texans and Californians complain about the lack of fall...even though it's like this every single year. It looks like on Tuesday we'll be getting a cold front that will take our highs down to the 70s (high 70s). I'll take it.
ReplyDeleteI'll look forward to hearing what you think of The Paying Guests! I really need to pick up another Waters novel and the Stevenson narration sounds like the perfect excuse. Enjoy!!
Trish - We were in the 40's yesterday, but expect a heat wave tomorrow... might get close to 70 again!
DeleteI spent 6 hours in the car today and listened to The Paying Guests for most of it. Juliet Stevenson's narration is, as always, excellent.
Sounds like a good week JoAnn. I loved Florence Gordon as well and think I might like Starting Out in the Evening. Enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteDiane - Hurray for Florence Gordon! Starting Out in the Evening is beautiful, too, but not quite as compelling for me.
DeleteI have The Paying Guests on Sparky and hope to read it soon...and, of course, I now have Florence Gordon, which I can't wait to read. Cantankerous feminist icons are favorite kinds of characters...LOL.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog. Love the photo of fall...and I am loving it, the glimpses of fall I see, even though it is taking its time to get here.
Laurel-Rain Snow - I just can't wait to hear what you think of Florence Gordon. I may not have liked her much, but what a wonderful character! They Paying Guests is excellent, too.
DeleteI've been keeping my eye on Paying Guests, having enjoyed Sarah Waters so much with The Little Stranger. Thank you for the likes on my WordPress site, and for continuing to visit me there. Hope you have a lovely week! Xo
ReplyDeleteBellezza - I spent 6 hours in the car today with The Paying Guests audiobook - it's very good! I must add The Little Stranger to my wish list.
DeleteHearing great things about The Paying Guests - really looking forward to it. Glad to hear you're enjoying it. At least you're not getting more snow!
ReplyDeleteLisa - The Paying Guests is as good as what you're hearing! Unfortunately, we have snow in the forecast again this weekend :(
DeleteI really like the Fall picture--what a great time of year, even when it turns colder.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new appliance.
Happy reading--looking forward to your upcoming reviews.
JaneGS - Love the new dryer, but am still waiting for the washing machine. It will be a relief to stop lugging dirty clothes around!
DeleteI'm hoping the leaves last another week or two... such a beautiful time of year.
Oops... think my last comment got eaten.
ReplyDeleteDollbaby looks kinda intriguing!
Deborah - I loved the audio! My mother does;t listen to books, so she's got the hardcover from the library. I'm sure she'll love it, too.
DeleteI absolutely love January LaVoy and will be listening to Doll Baby. We enjoyed steak on the grill yesterday too.
ReplyDeleteNise' - I can't believe I've never listened to January Lavoy before... she is such a talented narrator!
DeleteGlad you had a good week... mmm steaks on the grill sound pretty good. Nice review of Big Little Lies- I've heard good things and may want to read that one- I like that it has a punch to it and is not just a light read. Curious about it...
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week.
Greg - That's one of the reasons I enjoyed Big Little Lies so much... was expecting fluff and got substance!
DeleteI like that you said that the Paying Guests grabs you right away. Thats what I like!
ReplyDeleteSheila - I listened for six hours in the car today... it's still great!
DeleteThe Hotel sounds interesting. Have a great week :-)
ReplyDeleteMaree - 20% in now and really like The Hotel. Hope you have a good week, too!
DeleteI heard someone else talking about The Hotel recently--I'll be interested to hear what you think!
ReplyDeleteLeila - In some ways Hotel reminds me of an Anita Brookner novel I read last year. I like the idea of putting bunch of strangers in a setting like that and seeing how they interact.
DeleteLove the photo! Dollbaby was a great audio, wasn't it?
ReplyDeleteBeth F - Dollbaby was excellent. Definitely a favorite this year!
DeleteI'm ready for sweater weather, but it has been pretty warm here. Enjoy the Fall. I enjoyed your photo. That one click to buy does happen so quickly!
ReplyDeletePat - That one click sure is hard to resist! Makes buying books all too easy ;-)
DeleteIt's been cold in the mornings, but getting hot in the afternoons. A change from last week's all cold. Hope you enjoyed reading!
ReplyDeleteBecca - Hot is a distant memory for us, but it's great reading weather. Have a good week :)
DeleteI'm looking forward to your review of Dollbaby - I thought that was a great debut as well. And I'm still trying to get to Florence Gordon by the end of the year!
ReplyDeleteSarah - Hope you can fit Florence Gordon in soon!
DeleteI would like to read Starting Out In The Evening. It seems like a nice, quiet book. I like the cover. Glad you had an enjoyable week.
ReplyDeleteTopazshell - Quiet is the perfect way to describe Starting Out in the Evening.
DeleteFootball and soup! Two of my very favorite things about fall :D
ReplyDeleteJennifer - Yup, mine too! :-)
DeleteRainy and cold sound great when mixed with football and soup! You've mentioned a lot of books I'm really wanting to read - Florence Gordon and The Paying Guests especially. I've never heard of Elizabeth Bowen but The Hotel sounds wonderful. Looking forward to your review of that one!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I've only read one Bowen novel, but thought her writing was excellent. Have been looking for an excuse to read more. Hotel is her first novel, so it's seemed like a good place to start.
DeleteThat weather sounds fantastic and I like your Fall picture!
ReplyDeleteI need to look up The Hotel - it sounds wonderful! I just started with a Margaret Atwood book and I'm finally seeing what is great about her books. Hope you have a great week!
Athira - I loved Atwood's Cat's Eye and The Robber Bride, and really need to reread The Handmaid's Tale. Would also like to try her more recent novels. Glad you're enjoying her, too.
DeleteI haven't picked up a book in over a week! Vacation in SoCal has kept me busy and very happy. The weather was absolutely perfect, but at least I am returning to decent weather at home.
ReplyDeleteLes - I hope you had a wonderful trip! I rarely get much read on vacation... just too many other fun things to do:)
ReplyDeleteDollbaby is a new title for me. Look forward to reading your review!
ReplyDeleteStacy - I'm behind on reviews again, but just noticed this morning that Dollbaby was nominated in the historical fiction category for reader's favorites on goodreads. My mother loved it, too!
ReplyDeleteI loved Starting Out in the Evening, and look forward to the new one.
ReplyDeleteNan - Morton's latest, Florence Gordon, will most likely end up on my favorites list this year... such beautiful writing!
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