Sunday, October 25, 2015

The Sunday Salon: October 25, 2015


Good morning, friends. Another week has flown by and it seems like the weekend goes even faster. Things have been relatively uneventful here... and that's fine with me. We haven't had any more snow and that's good news, too.

Read last week//

The Deep End by Julie Mulhern
Have you heard of The Country Club Murders? I don't read many mysteries, but something about the cover and 1970s country club setting appealed to me. Katherine and Greg both enjoyed the second in the series, so when I found Book 1 for just $2.99, "buy now with 1-click" happened.  This also counts toward  RIP X , so I haven't been a complete failure in that department after all. Look for my review later this week.

Almost finished//

Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson
Our next book club selection.  I decided to add in the audio version after Debbie mentioned how good it was. So glad I took her advice! Both the story and the narration suit my current mood and the weather perfectly. I'll finish later today or tomorrow.


New books in the house//




My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
Strout's new novel will be released in January. I've sworn off Netgalley, but she is a favorite, so I just had to request this one. I'm tempted to read it now and sit on my review until next year.



Oxford Reader's Companion to Trollope by R. C. Terry , editor
You didn't expect an update post completely devoid of Trollope, did you? I know I'm slightly obsessed right now, but Lisa is to blame/thank for this purchase.


On the blog//



Weekend Cooking: October Pin It and Do It Wrap-Up
Book Review:  My thoughts on Did You Ever Have A Family  by Bill Clegg
Tuesday Intro: Out Stealing Horses  by Per Petterson


The Week Ahead//
I'm looking forward to Halloween next weekend. We only get a handful of trick-or-treaters (it takes some effort to get little ones out here), but I love seeing the kids all dressed up. It reminds me of the days we gathered for take-out pizza with friends and took all the kids out trick-or-treating. Great memories!

Twin A is coming home on Thursday for a long weekend. I can't wait! She will enjoy all the Halloween festivities and I think she's already looking forward to the extra hour of sleep Saturday night when Daylight Savings Time ends.

How was your week? Did you read anything good?


This post will link to It's Monday, What Are You Reading? now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.


58 comments:

  1. I was at the beach all week so I was out of the loop. I'm surprised to see you've had snow already since we were in sandals and shorts!

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    1. Kathy - There was 9" of snow just north of us, but we only got a dusting. I'm longing for a beach right about now.

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  2. Out Stealing Horses was had a melancholy feel to it, but I did like it. Enjoy the rest of your week, and especially your time with Twin A.

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    1. Debbie - Yes, definitely a melancholy book. Thanks again for mentioning the audio. The narrator is great!

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  3. We don't get trick or treaters at this house and I miss them! It's always fun to see all the kids dressed up but we'll be taking the Tornado trick or treating so that should make up for it. The Elizabeth Strout looks interesting and I'm so glad you enjoyed The Deep End. I'm looking forward to going back and reading it since I very much enjoyed the 2nd book. Have a great week!

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    1. Katherine - I've been disappointed the years we haven't had any trick or treaters and am hoping for at least a couple groups this year. Guaranteed to Bleed is pretty high on my wish list now! Hope your allergies get better soon :)

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  4. How smart you are to have the Oxford companion to Trollope. I must tell you that the read-along of The Small House at Allington proved to be a highlight of my autumn. I am grateful for the introduction to Trollope, but also for the company in my initiation. I hope to carry on with the last of the chronicles in December, but November is spoken for with German Lit Month. xo

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    1. Bellezza - Lisa mentioned that Oxford Companion on twitter a couple of weeks ago and I was able to find a like-new used copy. There is so much interesting information in it! I hope you are able to join us for The Last Chronicle of Barset! I imagine Audrey will want a little break after Allington, so we may not start right at the beginning of November anyway.

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  5. Oh, I loved all my books this week....but as I began my first for next week, I sighed...unless it picks up quickly, the week will be a drag.

    In the eight years I've lived in this place, I have only had ONE Trick or Treater...and that was my grandson, several years ago. I think I'll skip buying candy this year...it hangs around...or it grabs me and I'm sorry.

    I've been noticing The Country Club Murders....and I'll be watching for your thoughts.

    I have a NetGalley book that won't be released until January....I finished the others I had. I hate having a book just sitting there, calling to me. LOL

    Enjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES


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    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - I always end up buying too much Halloween candy! Most years we don't have any trick or treaters and I end up eating most of it myself :(

      The Club Murders are actually fun... No gore or violence and I love the 70s setting! Hope your current read picks up.

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  6. I'm a big fan of Strout's Olive Kitteridge, so I'm eager to read this new book.

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    1. Deb - Olive Kitteridge is an all-time favorite. I love Strout's writing!

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  7. Just in case you're wondering if I will EVER finish, I've been immersing myself in The Small House whenever I could...until today, work has meant reading in snatches, but oh what snatches! Johnny has just carved Lily's name off the bridge, and Plantagenet P. has just seen the course of true love, um, diverted. I've officially canceled cooking dinner because I need to be back in Allington until Sunday night on PBS starts. :)

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    1. Audrey - You're getting close to the end... such a good book! I'm so behind on my PBS Sundays, but at least have them recorded and will hopefully watch an episode or two tonight.

      Not sure about dinner yet, but I made a pumpkin pie and the house smells heavenly. Have a great week!

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  8. That Trollope reference book looks so interesting.

    I really want to get a copy myself.

    I am thinking that I will acquire it before I begin the Palliser novels.

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    1. Brian Joseph - Lisa was right, it is a wonderful book. It may be out of print, but there are used copies on amazon... for a variety of prices and in a variety of conditions. Don't think you would regret the purchase!

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  9. Still can't believe y'all had snow already! I remember Care mentioning that she really liked Out Stealing Horses and I keep meaning to check to see if I have it on my shelf! Enjoy the reading this week. :)

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    1. Trish - Yes, we've had snow and there is a possibility for more on Friday. My sister's birthday is October 18 and I've always used that as my 'fair game' marker for snow. We have very loooong winters here!

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  10. I couldn't wait for Lucy Barton and read it last month - it is fantastic! Last year I bought a huge bag of candy and waited for the trick-or-treaters to arrive...and no one did! So this year I'm going to a friend's party and will save myself from eating too much left-over candy. Have a great week!

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    1. Anbolyn - I read several pages of Lucy Barton last night and was pulled in almost from the first paragraph... think I'm going to read it next after all!

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  11. We don't get many trick or treaters either, which is kind of a bummer. I love it when the kids come but we're on a street with a cul de sac and not everyone comes down our way. And our kids are going with friends this year, so we'll be home giving out candy. :)

    I'm so glad you liked The Deep End. I love the country club scenes. And the 2nd one the mystery is a bit different than the first one, so it has the same fun factor but a totally differnet whodunit. Hope you enjoy!

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    1. Greg - I'm thinking about reading Guaranteed to Bleed over the long Thanksgiving weekend... seems like it will be fun, but not too taxing. Thanks for bringing this series to my attention!

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  12. I just saw that Elizabeth Strout has a new one coming out! I really enjoyed The Burgess Boys, so I definitely think you should read Lucy Barton now and let me know if I should request it (like you, I'm trying not to over request)!

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    1. Sarah - I've read and loved all of Strout's books except Abide With Me... which I will get to eventually. Started a few pages of Lucy Barton last night and it was enough to convince me to read it now!

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  13. I live in an apartment complex, with kids, but I never get an trick-or-treaters, maybe because I am on the second floor. So I've decided not to buy any candy this year. Though I may weaken as it starts to go on sale...

    The Trollope Companion is a dangerous thing, and not just because of spoilers. I take it down to look up one thing - a character's name - and it leads me down the rabbit hole, from article to article :)

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    1. Lisa - That sounds like a safe plan with the Halloween candy... seems like I always end up eating leftovers. Spent some time yesterday with the Trollope Companion and found out what you mean about spoilers. I'll be more careful next time ;-)

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  14. As of this writing, I am 30 pages short of finishing The Story of the Lost Child. Don't tell me the ending! LOL Sometimes I can intuit how things will turn out. In this case, I think there will be something very unexpected, but I could be wrong. When I first started this book, I wished it had been available to start right after #3 ... it took a while to reacquaint myself with the numerous characters ... but it soon began to fall into place once again. I do vaguely remember when the big earthquake hit the Naples area. What a life these families lived. Hope we eventually learn the true ID of Elena Ferrante and know more about her/him. :-)
    Will look forward to the Elizabeth Strout book. Loved the two books of hers that I have read.

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    1. JudyMac - I'm sure you have finished The Story of the Lost Child by now and am very curious to hear what you thought of it! I read book 2 & 3 in quick succession, so it took me some time to settle into the book and remember just who everybody was and where we left off. I'm sorry to reach the end of the series and hope we learn the author's identity one day. In the meantime, I will read her other stand-alone novels. Read The Lost Daughter last summer... not sure it's novel you can really say you enjoy though. Days of Abandonment is high on my list now, too.

      Elizabeth Strout is also a favorite. I've read and loved all of her novels, except Abide With Me which I will get to eventually. She is.delightful in person, too. I started My Name is Lucy Barton last night and have high hopes.

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    2. Fini! Not disappointed in the ending of the Lost Daughter. I doubt that anyone expected Tina to miraculously reappear; the Solaras may have had a hand in her demise, then maybe not. What I call a "riding off into the sunset" ending was, although sad, quieter and more appropriate, and gives us something to ponder for quite a while. A most passionate quartet, almost mind-boggling at times.
      Now, I'm on to another by Liane Moriarty called Big Little Lies. Have a great week!

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    3. JudyMac - Love that term... a "riding off into the sunset" ending! I may have held out hope a little too long for something different, but it was more appropriate and more thought-provoking the way Ferrante wrote it.

      Enjoy Big Little Lies. I read it last year... definitely a change of pace from Ferrante!

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  15. NetGalley is dangerous, it's like one-click Kindles LOL - I have the Strout book as well, love the sound of it.

    Have a great week.

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    1. Diane - I'm going to go ahead and read Strout's novel now... it seems to be calling the loudest :)

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    1. Patience_Crabstick - Yes, you do! It is wonderful!!!

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  17. I need to look for that new Strout --I'm so behind in my eGalleys, I really shouldn't request anything new.

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    1. Beth F - I've been good at avoiding requests lately, but for Elizabeth Strout, I will make an exception.

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  18. Halloween isn't that big in Australia, I'd love if it was. We've been in our home for 15 years and we've never had trick-or-treaters. We have had a couple of Halloween parties as my son is a Halloween baby. I've never read Elizabeth Strout but I've been meaning to read Olive Kitteridge. Have a great week and happy reading :)

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    1. Teddyree - Olive Kitteridge is one of my all time favorites! If you like audiobooks, consider giving it a try. The Maine accent is perfect.

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  19. Sounds like you had a great reading week! Thanks for the reminder about Daylight Savings Time. I'm not sure I'm ready for it getting dark out earlier. Enjoy your visit with your daughter and Halloween.

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    1. Pat - I hate having it dark at 5 PM, but my husband is happy to be able to run before work in the morning... at least for a little while.

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  20. I'm kind of curious how DST is going to work with a baby - he will probably just wake up same time as always, won't he? Lol. I am looking forward to Halloween as well. I can imagine how beautiful your area of the country must look right now!

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    1. Erin - I remember dreading time changes when my kids were babies... they never let me get that extra hour of sleep :-)

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  21. Interesting reads here. I'm glad you get some trick-or-treaters. It's sparse where I grew up and my dad loves to pass out candy.

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    1. Stefanie - My parents get so many trick-or-treaters... I'm a little jealous.

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  22. I would pick up The Deep End for the cover alone. Have a good week and try not to eat all the left over candy.

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    1. Emma - Isn't that cover the best? My review will be up tomorrow.

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  23. We do not get very many trick or treaters either but we do get some...however if I only bought a tiny bit of candy I would get tons...so we buy tons but I gave the perfect solution for us...we call Big Brothers and Big Sisters for a donation pick up and I hand the driver a huge bag of candy! He us delighted and we are, too!

    Your books look really interesting this week! Enjoy!

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    1. Patty - That's a great idea to donate the candy!! Our church and the kids' orthodontist always had collection baskets.... but it's so hard to give away snickers and twix ;-)

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  24. Good that you enjoyed the audiobook version of Out Stealing Horses. Hope you enjoy discussing it with your book club.

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    1. Kathryn - I have a feeling opinions will be divided on this book...we'll see.

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  25. I'm glad you mentioned that the Out Stealing Horses book has a good audio version. I'm always looking for good audios. I will add it to the list if you like it. Also I'm amazed by word about the new Strout book! Hooray. I think I've read 3 of her books and would love to dive into another. She's back!

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    1. Susan - The narrator seems like such a good fit for this particular story. Not 100% sold on the book yet, but definitely enjoying the journey.

      I've read and loved all of Elizabeth Strout's books, except Abide With Me which is still on my shelf. She's definitely a favorite! The book is scheduled to be released January 5.

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  26. It is chilly here but no snow.

    Out Stealing Horses looks good.

    ENJOY your book club discussion and your reading week.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My It's Monday, What Are You Reading

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    1. Elizabeth - The book has definitely struck a chord... I'll be curious to see how the group reacts.

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  27. We are looking forward to Halloween as well. We still don't have the decorations up yet but after the rains, they will go up. Maybe tomorrow. I love watching all those innovative costumes. I just hope the kids come before it gets too dark.

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    1. Athira - I've got my fingers crossed for good weather this weekend. One year we had a snowstorm that virtually cancelled Halloween. My kids still talk about that one!

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  28. I have to go out tonight to buy more candy because we get hundreds of trick or treaters and this year with it falling on a Saturday I think I need to get more than I normally do. Seriously, we get groups of 20 at a time. Last year I could hardly hand it out fast enough and this year we are hosting a party at the same time!

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    1. Ti - Hundreds??!! I am speechless... A party sounds like fun though :)

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