Great Egret
(at Corkscrew Swamp)
March, already? I really didn't mean to disappear for so long. A February reading slump is starting to become a habit and, unfortunately, this year it included blogging too. The one week break I planned for my sister's visit stretched into two, and then three. You know how it goes.
I'm still in Florida and loving every moment... the beach, my bike, the birds. Even more surprising (especially given the size of our kitchen here), I've been experimenting with quite a few new recipes. A Weekend Cooking post is brewing in my draft folder.
Reading, however, has been another story. After finally finishing the monstrously long City on Fire (my review), nothing caught or held my interest for a couple of weeks. Finally, while my husband was back home working last week, I managed to finish a few books:
Death with an Ocean View by Noreen Wald
A fun little cozy mystery set in South Florida. I'll post a short review soon.
What Maisie Knew by Henry James
The rest of my read-along group finished and posted their thoughts, while I lagged behind. I nearly always appreciate Henry, but somehow reading him in Florida didn't seem quite right. Strange... I plan to watch the recent film version and share some thoughts afterwards.
Up next//
Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer
I downloaded the audiobook from audible and borrowed the ebook from the library. Have a feeling this one is going to make me very angry.
by Irin Carmon, Shana Knizhnik
My library hold arrived... at last.
Beach Music by Pat Conroy
In light of Pat Conroy's recent death, it's probably time to reread Beach Music. I've been a loyal fan for decades and consider this book an all-time favorite... even though I remember very little about the plot.In other bookish news//
Have you heard about Litsy? It's a new app (Apple only for now) that's kind of like Instagram for books. Readers share photos, quotes, and short comments or reviews. Another social media platform is the last thing I really need, but this is fun and easy. I'm Lakesidemusing there, too. Check it out!
Later today//
We've already been to the Farmer's Market and now I'm off for a walk on the beach.... think I'll start listening to Missoula. My FIL will join us for dinner this evening. Daughter #1 is visiting for a few more days. She starts an exciting new job (still in Manhattan) on the 14th.
Hope you've had a good few weeks. What have you been reading?
This post will link to It's Monday, What Are You Reading? hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.
No matter how much we liked it, it felt good to finish Maisie, didn't it? :) Looking forward to watching the movie with you. I have to be The Notorious RBG on my list...
ReplyDeleteAudrey - I really was glad to be finished. Can't say I ever felt that way about Henry before. Have you read The Master by Colm Toibin? It's a fictionalized James biography.
DeleteWelcome back! And you're not the only one with a February slump - I'm there too and I've heard a couple others mention it as well! I hope Missoula pulls you out of it.
ReplyDeleteAnd - I'm so sad about Conroy! And, feel the exact same way you do about Beach Music...I loved it when I read it years ago, can't remember much about the plot (except I have this image of Lanere - I think that was her name?- water-skiiing along the South Carolina marsh) and am long overdue for a re-read.
Sarah - That February slump just seems to get worse every year! I read the first couple chapters of Missoula today and have a feeling that will take care of things. You remember more of Beach Music than I do... Lanere's name doesn't even sound familiar. I really do need a reread!!
DeleteMissoula will make you angry but it's an important book. I love Litsy so far - I both want and don't want it to grow, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I'm hooked on Missoula after just a couple of chapters, and I know exactly what you mean about Litsy. It's kind of cozy now...
DeleteGlad to hear you are having a good time. Thanks for sharing the info on Litsy. I'm going to check it out. After learning about Medium recently, I thought there might be something like that with a focus on books.
ReplyDeletePat - Litsy is just getting started and I really like it being so small and intimate. We'll see what happens, but I think it's a great idea.
DeleteBreaks are nice but I have missed reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks Patty! I think Litsy and Instagram may have prolonged the absence. They both made me feel like I was still in touch ;-)
DeleteI must admit I'm just a wee bit jealous of your extended time in Florida :) WE are hoping to try a month-long get away in the next couple of years.
ReplyDeleteMolly - My FIL giving us this place certainly accelerated our plans! My husband is not quite ready to retire, but has enjoyed taking time off during the winter. I'm just happy to get away from the snow and cold.
DeleteWhat a beauitful photo of the egret! Love the idea of an extended break, walking, riding, beaches & markets. Sounds idyllic. Enjoy. Im also in a reading slump, but its not about the books its about the time... enjoy your time jn Florida.
ReplyDeleteTamara - It's good to hear from you! This has been a wonderful winter. I'm much happier without all the snow and cold. Plus I've been lucky that our daughters and my sister have been able to visit.
DeleteGorgeous egret!
ReplyDeleteI like the look of Death with an Ocean View...and I loved Beach Music. It was a hefty one, so I didn't plan to reread it...off it went in one of the purges.
But if I am dying for a reread, I can always get it in the library...right?
Thanks for sharing...and enjoy your new week. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Laurel-Rain Snow - I ended up purging my beloved copy of Beach Music several years ago, but ended up borrowing the ebook from the library. I much prefer reading on my kindle these days!
DeleteJoAnn, so good to hear from you! I was hoping that things were well and you were enjoying the FL sun. Lovely and love the egret picture. I wanted to tell you that I met Julie Mulhern (who writes those 70's cozy mysteries you like) at Left Coast Crime last weekend. I told her that I had a bunch of blogging friends who loved her books. And she told me there will be a new one out in May. So, there you go - something fun, right? Have a good week!!
ReplyDeleteKay - You just made my day! Can't wait for Mulhern's next book - she's changed my thinking about both cozy mysteries and series. Off to amazon to learn more about it...
DeleteIt sounds like you are having a wonderful time and blogging can certainly wait. Sometimes the downtime from blogging is just what we need. I like the sound of Litsy but oh boy, I'm so bad about keeping up with social media stuff. I can barely keep up with my blog sometimes! haha... Can't wait to see what you think of Notorious RBG. That looks very interesting.
ReplyDeleteIliana - Litsy is so small right now that it doesn't take much time at all... wondering what will happen as it grows. Still, the posts are short and sweet, and a lot of fun! Notorious RBG looks great. I previewed it yesterday.
DeleteLove the egret pic! If I was in FL I'm not sure I'd be blogging either! Glad you're enjoying your visit. Such a great time to be there before the heat starts. Love the look of Death With An Ocean View, I may have to get that one!
ReplyDeleteGreg - I'll admit there is a lot more to do down here, but reading on the lanai is one of the things I enjoy most. Death With an Ocean View was good, but not great. Julie Mulhern's Country Club Murder series seems to be my gold standard now.
DeleteSounds like things are warm and wonderful at Sanibel. 😎
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm house/pet sitting, I brought along "The Portable Veblen" by Elizabeth McKenzie. New author to me but I'm liking it. Also brought along "M train," the latest by Patti Smith. For some reason, she seems not to have been in my field of vision during her years with Robert Mapplethorpe, but I do find her books interesting. To get my yearly fix of murder and suspense in Italy, I should soon be receiving from the library Donna Leon's latest offering featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti in Venice. Wish she could turn out more than one per year.
Glad the turtle made it safely across the road. Slow and steady is good.
JudyMac - Yes, slow and steady is definitely good. We diverted a couple of cars, but then the turtle decided to continue across the street. Gotta love Sanibel! Sounds like you have many wonderful books before you at the moment - enjoy :)
DeleteLooking forward to hearing your thoughts on Missoula! Such an important book - I hope everyone picks it up, including college-goers. Also, love Litsy!
ReplyDeleteAthira - I'm only on chapter 6, but it is so readable... yet so infuriating! Will be curious to see where it goes from here.
DeleteGlad you are enjoying your time in Florida. I am going next month. I loved South of Broad. Pat Conroy will be missed. Soak up that sunshine.
ReplyDeleteNise' - Oh, yes... I loved South of Broad, too! He will definitely be missed :(
DeleteYou have a nice-looking stack to read this week. I would love to go to the beach, but it's rainy and cold for the next few days.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week!
Vasilly - I'm excited about this new stack of books! Glad I finally finished Henry James ;-)
DeleteThe nice thing about not remembering the plot is that the reread is enjoyable and tempting!
ReplyDeleteKathryn - LOL!!! So true.
DeleteI've always wanted to read Beach Music. I think I even have a copy in my library. Thanks for sharing about Litsy. I'm curious now. Enjoy your reading week!
ReplyDeleteLaura - Beach Music was wonderful 20 years ago. I'm hoping it will stand the test of time.
DeleteEnjoy rereading Beach Music while at the beach there! I didn't read that one, but I read three others by Conroy.
ReplyDeleteI also read Missoula, and yes, you will be angry and frustrated by that nonfiction book. Unbelievable how things can be like that in 2016!
Hope March turns out to be a better reading month for you.
Rita - I remember when everyone was reading Missoula (last year?) and I decided against it at the time thinking it would make me too angry. Curiosity, plus positive experiences with Krakauer's previous books, has finally made me change my mind.
DeleteOoh, I've been wanting to read both "Missoula" and "Notorious RBG." I'll be interested to hear what you think of them!
ReplyDeleteMelinda - They've both been on my list for a long time. Fingers crossed I can finish them both before they are due!
DeleteOh Missoula, I've been wanting to read that one. I bet it would make me very angry too.
ReplyDeleteJillian - I'm completely hooked after just a few chapters. It seems very well written, too.
DeleteMy mom just finished Missoula -- I know I need to get it.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE litsy!!!
Beth F - Not too far into it yet, but have a feeling it will get a high recommendation.
DeleteI am very happy that it is March. I used to appreciate all the seasons a little more then I do now. These days I enjoy warmer weather more.
ReplyDeleteI really want to read Notorious RBG. I have heard really good things about it and I very much admire Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
Brian Joseph - I've always enjoyed the change of seasons, but finally got fed up with our long, cold, snowy winters about 5 years ago. Feel lucky to be here for the worst of it! Notorious RBG looks like a great book...the Supreme Court is fascinating.
DeleteSeems like paradise there in Florida, enjoy! Love the biking and the birds. The Notorious RBG cover makes me laugh. I look forward to hearing about that book! (ps. You can't read Henry James at the beach ... oh no no)
ReplyDeleteSusan - I will never, ever try to read Henry James on a beach again!! ;-)
DeleteSo sad to learn that Conroy has passed away. His childhood sounded very painful and 70 is still young.
ReplyDeleteLove your Sanibel pictures.
Diane - Conroy was the first author I ever heard speak... such a memorable experience. So sad that he is gone.
DeleteI had a feeling that "Spark Joy" would turn out to be disappointing. I'm not planning to read it, although I liked the Life-Changing Magic of Tidying.
ReplyDeletePatience_Crabstick - Me, too. That's why I borrowed it from the library. Does anyone really need an illustration about how to fold bras??
DeleteDeath With An Ocean View looks good.
ReplyDeleteI like the looks of Beach Music too.
I hope you are having a good reading week.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My It's Monday, What Are You Reading
Elizabeth - Thanks, it's off to a good start!
DeleteI don't blame you for taking some time off! I love the Sanibel area, and vacations are for playing. :) Enjoy your time in the warm weather and sandy beaches!
ReplyDeleteErin - We are now officially winter residents of Sanibel! Entering a new stage of life is both scary and exciting :)
DeleteIf you're loving every minute, seems like you're just finding things that are more than reading to do right now. I just downloaded Notorious RBG; cannot wait to get to it!
ReplyDeleteLisa - I am totally wrapped up in Missoula right now, but looking forward to Notorious RBG next. Just can't seem to get into the blogging groove down here...
DeleteIt sounds like you are having a wonderful time in Florida. I can completely understand letting the blog fall to the wayside for a bit!
ReplyDeleteI really want to read Missoula, but I also fear it will make me lock my daughter (and maybe my son too) in their rooms and forbid them from going to college!
Lindsey - Reading Missoula will definitely make you want to lock your children in their rooms! My daughter just graduated in December and I purposely waited until we were done with colleges to read this book. Just past halfway, it is wonderful... but also infuriating.
DeleteIf you do decide to re-read Beach Music, let me know. I really want to read it again, but keeping pushing it aside for something new and shiny. I loved South of Broad almost as much, but it's Beach Music that will always be my favorite of Conroy's.
ReplyDeleteHave you read anything by his wife's, Cassandra King? I just started The Sunday Wife, but couldn't get interested after several pages, so I set it aside.
Love that photo of the egret!
Les - I've been talking about rereading Beach Music for several years, and keep doing the same thing! Will definitely let you know if (really should say when!) I do. South of Broad was another favorite. Haven't read anything by Cassandra King, but am pretty sure I started one of her books and never finished it.
Delete