Sunday, October 4, 2015

The Sunday Salon: October 4, 2015


Happy Sunday, friends. This post is coming to you a little later than usual because the weekend just got away from me. They seem to get shorter and shorter, don't you think?

We finally broke down and turned on the heat yesterday morning. Overnight lows dipped down into the 30s, and I was forced to wear socks for the first time in five months. Thanks to those chilly temperatures, peak fall color is fast approaching. There should be a dazzling show by next weekend!

Finished this week//

This book lives up to all the praise you've been hearing - 5 stars!


Current reading//

The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope
Have I mentioned lately how much I love Trollope? 
Favorite quotes from this week's reading:
Let her who is 40 call herself 40; but if she can be young in spirit at 40, let her show that she is so. 
The little sacrifices of society are all made by women, as are also the great sacrifices of life.

Up next//

Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
A library book I'm dying to read... and the due date is looming.


Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Admittedly outside my comfort zone. I've never read Gaiman, but am tempted by this readlaong  at Bookfoolery. Besides, it will help will my less than stellar RIP effort this year. I'll make a decision soon. Have you read this one?


On the blog//
Book Brief: So We Read On: How the Great Gatsby Came to Be and Why It Endures by Maureen Corrigan
Pages From the Past: My 2001 Reading Journal
Tuesday Intro: Did You Ever Have a Family


Book club meeting//


I hosted our monthly book club meeting on Friday. We generally meet in the morning, but gathered at 4:00 this time and had a near-record ten members attend. There was a very lively discussion of Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande. Most found it to be a difficult read due to the subject mater, but we unanimously agreed that it was important to do so. My review is here.

Next month we will discuss Out Stealing Horses by Per Pettersen.
Are you in a book club? Which book has generated the best discussion this year?


That's about all from me this week. What's new with you? Did you read anything good last week?


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

46 comments:

  1. Being Mortal is on my wish list - I had to return it only partially read but plan to borrow the download again soon. Out Stealing Horses is a book I read years ago and recall enjoying it - hope you do to. I've joined a book group and my first meeting is the end of October, but the book is one I've read and loved so I'll just refresh myself with my notes -- Defending Jacob.

    Have a great week

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    1. Diane - I remember borrowing Out Stealing Horses from the library shortly after it was released, but I returned it unread. I've since purchased a copy, so am glad for the push to read it! Hope you like your new book group:)

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  2. Neverwhere is on my wishlist for one day. I love parallel universe/time slip stories and this one is regularly praised by all sorts of readers.

    Being Mortal is also on my radar & I've thoroughly enjoyed your Trollope journey this year - I hope to follow in your footsteps soon.

    Happy Reading

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    1. Brona - Neverwhere is definitely a stretch for me, wo we'll see how it goes. I never expected to fall for Trollope in such a big way - hope you get a chance to read him soon :)

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  3. For whatever reason I didn't have the same experience with the Bill Clegg book as you did. I liked parts of it but didnt love it. But I know everyone else did. I listened to it as an audiobook as read by the author. It fell flat, strangely. My book club had good discussions with Stoner and Everything I Never Told You. Enjoy your week

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    1. Susan - A poor narration can definitely ruin a book for me, but I also realize this book is not for everyone.

      I've mentioned how much I loved Stoner, but Everything I Never Told You was outstanding, too. It was suggested for book club when it was released, but copies were hard to come by then. Thank you for reminding me... it's time to bring it up again!

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  4. How funny...I just wrote the same thing about Fates and Furies. It's my next book too, AND it is due back at the library on Wednesday with no renewals.

    I think we can do it!

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    1. Melissa - Yes, we can do it!! I plan to start today :)

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  5. We still have our air on but it hasn't run the last few days. I'm trying to stay in denial that winter is on its way. I don't want to give up sandals.

    At the Speed Dating event at BEA they gave everyone a copy of Being Mortal and said it's a very important book. I wonder if it's the right time for me to read it.

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  6. I just reread your review of Being Mortal and realized I need to read it soon.

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    1. Kathy - I don't think there is any 'good time' to read Being Mortal.. but it's a good idea to read it anyway.

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  7. I enjoyed Did You Ever Have a Family...and I'm curious about The Small House at Allington. Enjoy your week...and your cooler weather.

    Today I woke up to a thunder storm, but the rain didn't last very long.

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    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - It's too bad your rain didn't last longer... I know how much it is needed out there! I'm loving Trollope more with every book I read.

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  8. Yay for Did You Ever Have A Family!! And I will be very interested to hear your take on Fates and Furies once you finish it. Have a great week!

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    1. Sarah - I just picked up Fates and Furies and read the opening... it sure drew me in!

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  9. My book club couldn't stop talking about Being Mortal. And now I'm off to add

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  10. ...Did You Ever to my wish list. Thank you!

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    1. Deb - It's really a wonderful, thought-provoking book!

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  11. We got in the 40's at night this past week, and the heat went on here too. We haven't started turning much yet, but it will soon.

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    1. Greg - Columbus Day weekend is usually peak color for us, but I'm pretty sure most of the Adirondack mountains are peaking now. Such a beautiful time of year!

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  12. I hated putting on socks too and wait until the last possible moment. Looking forward to your thoughts on Fate and Furies. Have a great week.

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    1. Nise' - Not sure why the first day of socks is such a big deal for me, but I suppose it's when I can no longer pretend it's summer ;-)

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  13. I've not come across Bill Clegg's title before but excited to hear of your 5 star rating JoAnn - sounds very powerful. I've heard so many good things about Fates and Furies - enjoy!

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    1. Jo - Hope you get a chance to read Did You Ever Have a Family... it is just wonderful. Fates and Furies is off to a strong start!

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  14. I started Lorna Doone this weekend. It's good, cozy, cold weather reading. I'm keeping Darkness at Noon in my office for lunch break reads and I've been struggling through Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson for a long time. I'm more than 2/3 of the way through it.

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    1. Patience_Crabstick - I remember starting Lorna Doone years and years ago, but not getting very far. Wonder if it's time to give it another shot? It may never be time for me to try Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson... I admire your perseverance!

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  15. I started The Ocean at The End of the Lane by Gaiman, but found myself skimming through it. I can't say I enjoyed it. I have Being Mortal on my ToRead list. Enjoy the Fall and stay warm!

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    1. Pat - Yes, I think Gaiman is a stretch for me, too. We'll see how it goes...

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  16. I've been hearing so much about Did You Ever Have A Family - I think I'll have to see is my local library gets that one in.

    I've attempted to read two or three Neil Gaiman books now and I just don't seem to connect with this writing like others do. There's no doubt that is a great writer though.

    Happy Reading!
    All Things Bookish – Jade Louise

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    1. Jade Louise - Definitely jump on the hold list for Did You Ever Have a Family. It's a quick read, but totally wonderful!

      I'm a little nervous about having a similar reaction to Gaiman, so my expectations are low. We'll see...

      Thanks for stopping by. It's nice to meet you!

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  17. I cannot wait to read your thoughts about The Small House at Allington. As much as I like the previous books in the series I thought that the last two were better then most of the previous ones.

    I love that quote.

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    1. Brian Joseph - I almost don't want to begin Fates and Furies today because The Small House at Allington is SO good. It even got me to walk an extra mile this morning so I could listen longer! It will be a sad day when I finish this series.

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  18. I hope that you'll share some of your changing colors! We don't have much of a show down here, but what we do have doesn't come until Thanksgiving.

    I'll be curious what you think of Neverwhere if you get to it. Admittedly it isn't my favorite of Gaiman's books, but it is perfect for this time of year!

    And yes--one more day in the weekend would be SO nice! Monday comes too quickly.

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    1. Trish - It's such a beautiful, sunny day so I went outside and took a few for you. Just posted one of them on Instagram... a bright orange tree by the lake!

      I'm hoping to blast through Fates and Furies, then give Neverwhere a try. I've hesitated with Gaiman, but it's time to give him a try :)

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  19. I really like the story of Neverwhere, even if the writing felt like it was an early work. Oh and Fate and Furies! So curious if it lives up to the hype. We have wonderful wine in our garden that's turning the prettiest red. Happy reading :)

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    1. Bina - Glad to have a little encouragement for Neverwhere... we'll see how it goes. I just read the beginning of Fates and Furies and think it's off to a strong start!

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  20. I'm not a Gaiman fan either. I have started a few of his books and finished none. Here is what I read last week. Happy reading!

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    1. Kathy - I've been wanting to read something by Gaiman for such a long time! He seems to have a very loyal following, but as I said, he's a little outside my comfort zone. This should be interesting...

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  21. I'll be interested to hear what you think of Neverwhere. I've wanted to try some of Neil Gaiman's books and the blurb on that one seems interesting but I'm also kind of scared of him! Temps in the 30s! We turned our heat on when it got into the 50s and I probably could've turned it on much earlier. Have a great week!

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    1. Katherine - Heat on in the 50s? I still have my window open! If I'm totally truthful, Neil Gaiman scares me a little bit, too...

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  22. What is it about Neil Gaiman books? I have many and yet have read none!

    I hate turning on the heat, too! I would rather snuggle under more covers and wait longer for the furnace! Enjoy your lovely books!

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    1. Patty - Maybe we're all just a little intimidated by Neil Gaiman? Think I am...

      I'm with you on the heat - give me more blankets please. But I hate a cold house during the day.

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  23. I love Neil Gaiman, Neverwhere is still on my TBR mountain though, hope you enjoy it even though it's outside your comfort zone. We're in the middle of a spring heatwave in Australia, I'm melting just thinking about the summer to come. Happy reading :)

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    1. Teddyree - I'm actually looking forward to finally meeting Neil Gaiman. My fingers are crossed! It's always so funny to think how you are getting your first real heat of the season as we begin to dread the snowflakes :)

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  24. I just bought Being Mortal from Audible so after my current read, I'll be looking forward to that one. Neil Gaiman has been hit or miss with me. He is an author I would love to love, so I am hoping to read more of his books at some point.

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    1. Athira - It looks like the audio version of Being Mortal is well done... very high marks on audible. I'll be curious to hear what you think.of it.

      Not sure how Neil Gaiman will go for me...

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