Sunday, April 12, 2015

The Sunday Salon: One More Week


Sunday already? That was quick. It has been another glorious week here in Florida and we have one more to go before the journey north. This week we'll attack our punch list - a few home projects, plus a couple more local attractions we'd like to visit.

We also need to decide on the route home. I'm thinking the Dressing Downton exhibit at the Biltmore is a must see, while my husband is focusing on Civil War battlefields. Let the negations begin!

Finished this week//


Bittersweet: A Novel  by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore
(mini-review here)



A difficult but important read, highly recommended. Review coming soon.


Current Reading//


A light follow-up to Being Mortal



For book club... I've missed it all winter.


Listening to//


again this week... not much listening time


New books//
The House at Riverton  by Kate Morton (another $1.99 daily deal)
In the Time of Butterflies  by Julia Alvarez (for book club)



On the blog//
Tuesday Intro: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
Because Sometimes You Just Want to be Entertained (mini-reviews: The Girl on the Train  by Paula Hawkins and Bittersweet  by by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore)

Today//
I'm off to the Farmers Market in a few minutes, then maybe some time on the beach before my FIL comes over for dinner this evening.

What are you up to today? Are you reading a good book?



40 comments:

  1. I'm looking forward to the start of our farmers market, although I tend to buy far more than we need. It just all looks so good!

    You were wise to read something lighter after finishing Being Mortal. I think I read Roz Chast's Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant right after Being Mortal. Fortunately, my next book was The Rosie Project, which quickly cheered me up.

    I'm curious about On Immunity. Looking forward to your review.

    Enjoy your last week in Florida and have a fun drive home!

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    1. Les - Being Mortal was so good, but I think picking up a graphic travel memoir next was best... definitely needed to lighten up a little. I'll have to remember The Rosie Project next time I need a recovery book!

      On Immunity is a good overview of vaccinations, public health, etc. Probably won't change any minds, but mine is firmly set already.

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  2. I vote for The Biltmore - there's so much to see and do in Asheville!

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    1. Kathy - It looks like such a beautiful area!

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  3. I should read In the Time of Butterflies...and Bittersweet is definitely on my list. Enjoy the rest of your time there....here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - I'm glad my book club gave me the extra push to begin In the Time of Butterflies. I've never read Alvarez.

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  4. I love a good farmer's market!

    Today, we have church and then the teen returns from choir tour. Not much going on.

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    1. Ti - This farmer's market here is amazing! Now we're having a relaxing afternoon and I'll start dinner soon. Hope you enjoyed a low-key day, too.

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  5. I don't think I had any idea how difficult it is for doctors to admit to patients that nothing is going to heal them until I read Being Mortal. Glad you liked it, too.

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    1. Deb Nance - Being Mortal makes me want to pick up his other books. I like his voice and writing style.

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  6. I can't believe I missed The House at Riverton daily deal! I do have it on audio, but I have a feeling this one might be better in print. I'm working today, but not feeling stressed about it, which is good :)

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    1. Belle - The House at Riverton has been on my wish list for so many years! I've enjoyed a couple of Morton's other books on audio, but this will be the first one I've read.

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  7. The farmers' markets around here don't have convenient hours for working people! We're having a week of storms, but at least it's just rain. I hope you have a lovely last week - I'll be thinking of you strolling in the beach :)

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    1. Lisa - It's really a shame they don't make farmers' markets more convenient for working people! The ones I'm familiar with are almost all on weekends or 3-7 on weekdays. Hope none of your storms are severe this week... and here's hoping for lots of reading time!

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  8. Can you do both - battlefields and Biltmore? Enjoy your last week.

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    1. Kay - I'm sure we will! Several years ago we took a day trip to Edith Wharton's home in the Berkshires (The Mount) and then continued on to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. Bet we were the only people to take in that particular combo ;-)

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  9. Biltmore has long been on my wish list. I'm feeling a little bereft, reading-wise, because I just finished B. Towers. How long is it till May and the next one? :)

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    1. Audrey - I have a feeling we'll just scratch the surface of The Biltmore. After we're home, I'll read more about it (and the Vanderbilts) in preparation for another visit.

      May is only a few weeks away, but if you want to start Dr. Thorne early I won't hold it against you ;-)

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  10. The exhibit sounds great and has my vote! I almost downloaded On Being Mortal today - will have to go back and do that now that I see your recommendation. Enjoy the sunshine!

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    1. Colleen - It looks like we'll get to visit Asheville and several battlefield, too. Something for everyone ;-)

      Being Mortal gave me a new way to thing about several aging and end-of-life issues. It's not a cheerful book, but well worth the read.

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  11. The Biltmore will be amazing this time of the year - the gardens will be blooming! We went there two years ago and loved it. The house is very amazing as well. I grabbed that Kate Morton book on Kindle Deal too, now I just need to read it.

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    1. Athira - I'm starting to accumulate unread Daily Deals again... may have to set aside a month (or longer!) to get them all read!

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  12. Enjoy your last week in Florida. The Biltmore is awesome. Have a great trip home.

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    1. Nise' - Thanks! Can't wait to see The Biltmore :)

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  13. I liked On Immunity in audio and it's the kind of book you can listen to in pieces. I checked out Bittersweet from the library based on your recommendation -- hope I get to it soon.

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    1. Beth F - And that's exactly how I'm listening to it... an hour here and there, then 30 min a few days later... seems to be working out fine. Hope you get a chance to sample Bittersweet.

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  14. I love this time of the year because we're able to go outside!! And yes, I am currently reading Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah and am liking it so far. I still want to read Bittersweet.

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    1. Jillian - I read Firefly Lane a while ago and enjoyed it. Her latest book, The Nightingale, is pretty close to the top of my wish list right now :)

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  15. I have Being Mortal on my shelf and I know I just need to make the time to actually read it.

    I have a few pages left of my re-read of Dept. of Speculation and then I get to pick something new...hooray!

    Have a great week!

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    1. Jennifer - Being Mortal is a tough read (in a sad and sobering way), but so worth it! I'm one of the few readers that didn't love Dept. of Speculation... just couldn't connect with the writing style :(

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  16. It's so funny how everyone is reading Being Mortal right now. My boyfriend's grandmother recently decided that she would rather age gracefully instead of receiving a hip replacement that could lead to more pain and angst. She's in her late 80s and her decision made me think of this book. Maybe I'll pick it up soon. It sounds important.

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    1. Vasilly - Being Mortal does seem to be the boo everyone is reading a t the moment. It's really given me a new way to look at some end-of-life and aging issues.

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  17. I'm also reading Lucy Knisley's graphic novel. Her French Milk drew me into the genre and I've tried to find her books every time she writes/draws one. They are sweet but also fun. I hope you are enjoying it too.

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    1. Margot - I enjoyed Age of License. It was exactly the change of pace I needed after Being Mortal. Had to laugh the blurb on its back cover calling it an Eat, Pray, Love for a slightly younger crowd!

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  18. The Biltmore route! And then stop in Greensboro?!?

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  19. I think I'm going to read the Paula Hawkins, too. Enjoy your trip!

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    1. Vintage Reading - Nothing like a psychological thriller every now and then.. hope you like it :)

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