Good morning, friends. Our time in Sanibel continues to fly, much like the kites on the beach, and our so-called "revolving door" continues to spin. Daughter #1 returned to NYC early last week, my SIL arrived the following day (though she is not staying with us), and Twin A and her boyfriend are scheduled to fly in on Wednesday. It's wonderful having so much family around, but a little tiring, too!
This past week I voted in FL for the first time. I may not have mentioned it here, but am officially a Florida resident now. We will continue to spend much of the year at our home in central NY... at least until my husband decides to retire. Anyway, Florida is one of this Tuesday's big primary states and they offer early voting at selected locations. We were in Ft. Myers anyway, so I stopped at the Lee County Elections Center. Voting was incredibly quick, easy, and efficient! The whole set-up was impressive... maybe New York could learn a thing or two.
And now for the books. It's been a good reading week...
Finished//
Like Family by Paolo Giordano
A quiet, melancholy, character-driven novel which I enjoyed very much. Mini-review coming soon.
Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer
A read/listen combo, this book was infuriating, disturbing, and important. Finished last night, my thoughts need to settle before I can write a coherent review.
Current reading//
by Irin Carmon, Shana Knizhnik
I downloaded the library ebook to my kindle and started reading last night. It soon dawned on me that I was missing the color graphics, so switched to my iPad instead... much more enjoyable!Up next, audio//
Be Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson
I desperately need an antidote to Missoula and, guided by the recent "Sound Recommendations" post at Beth Fish Reads (her audio recommendations are always spot on!), downloaded this one last night. Can't wait to put in my earbuds and go for a walk!On the blog//
Not sure why it's so difficult, but I can't seem to get into a blogging routine down here. Just one post last week:
Review: Death With An Ocean View by Noreen Wald
With a little luck, I will set aside time on Monday or Tuesday to catch up on reviews.
Later today//
I'm off to the Framer's Market shortly, then a walk on the beach. My FIL and SIL will be over for dinner later on, and this evening we'll begin watching the two-night event, And Then There Were None, on Lifetime.
I hope you're enjoying a wonderful weekend. What have you been reading lately?
This post will link to It's Monday, What Are You Reading? hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.
Whoa! I just started listening to the audio version of this (I'm on the second murder), mostly, ahem, because Dan Stevens is reading it. But the visuals on the trailer are creepily wonderful. Thanks for mentioning this..I didn't know about it. But now I'm in a quandary...should I treat myself to six or seven hours of listening to Matthew (I mean Dan) or watch. Or both?
ReplyDeleteAudrey - Both, definitely! That novel was my first Agatha Christie, and an audio reread is on my wish list now that Dan Stevens is narrating. I just learned about the movie event from another blogger...must not be very well publicized.
DeleteYou wonder why you don't have time to blog? This post says it all! You've got company and a beautiful beach to walk along. I think if it were me, I'd be on a very long bloggy break. :)
ReplyDeleteI just started The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker and I'm loving the story. I have a fairly large to-do list for the day, but I'm hoping to squeeze in some reading time. Losing an hour may make it a bit more difficult, but I'm sure I'll be wide awake at 10 pm!
Les - You have a point there ;-) I hate "springing ahead"... falling back is so much easier.
DeleteYou are always so busy. Sounds nice to have such a great family though. I didn't know you were in Florida though. That's what happens when you don't read blogs for a while.
ReplyDeleteThat Jon Krakauer book sounds like one k wouldn't mind reading. I can see it being upsetting and maddening.
Hope you have a great week!
Darlene - We're basically 'snowbirds', but I am officially a Florida resident now. I am over winters in the snowbelt! The Krakauer books is excellent, but SO infuriating.
DeleteAs soon as I saw you were reading the e-version of RBG I got all itchy to ask you how it is! The hardcover is definitely an object, so I can totally see how you needed the color graphics :)
ReplyDeleteShannon - It was definitely missing something on the paperwhite. You either need a tablet or the physical book to fully appreciate Notorious RBG!
DeleteI'm so excited about And Then There Were None! The story is one of favorites and I've heard great things about this production. My husband and I are going to see it in play form in a few weeks and I'm looking forward to that though the play ending makes me a little ranty. Sounds like you're having a good time! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - MY SIL was mentioning at dinner tonight that she saw the play years ago and was totally creeped out... had a hard time even remembering it was a play! Sounds like you'll be in for a treat there. Hope the TV show is good.
DeleteBeing in Florida right now sounds just heavenly. I'm itching to get back to Gulf Shores, Alabama this summer to soak up some much-needed beach time.
ReplyDeleteAs for your reading, I'm really feeling the call to pick up Missoula. I know it's going to tear me up, but having spent so much time in higher education as a student and a professional, I feel like it's something I must read.
Andi - With all the time you've spent on college campuses, I would really value your opinion of Missoula. It really affected my mood this weekend... I was so angry, my husband was relieved when I finally finished.
DeleteYou are living my dream :) My husband and I hope to retire to Florida soon - probably on the west coast - as soon as he retires. I'm hoping in five years or less...
ReplyDeleteMolly - I'm hoping that my husband will be retired within five years, too. It's a whole different world down here, but I really am enjoying it!
DeleteCongrats on voting - your state is always such a hot button...kind of fun to vote in that kind of state, where your vote one way or the other really matters!
ReplyDeleteWill look forward to your thoughts on Missoula.
Sarah - That's what I've been saying to my husband (who is still a NY resident)... my vote has never really mattered before, so this is kind of fun. Missoula was quite a book... still sorting it all out.
DeleteAs you know I am also in New York. I agree we could use official early voting. I voted here early once because I was going away on a business trip. It was very easy but they should open it to everyone.
ReplyDeleteBrian Joseph - Early voting has many advantages... wondering if NY is avoiding it because of the cost. The last I heard over 35% of voters in this county have already cast their ballots. We should get the final tallies tomorrow.
DeleteI'm with Les as to why you haven't had time or inclination to blog. I wouldn't worry about it. Do it as it feels right and otherwise, enjoy your beach and people and market and sun. Looking forward to watching And Then There Were None sometime later this week. I've got it all set to record both tonight and tomorrow night. :-)
ReplyDeleteKay - I'm still reading, so that's a good thing, but it's difficult to sit down with the laptop and write. Will get to it when the mood strikes...
DeleteI wouldn't want to blog if I were at the beach with family either. Enjoy yourself and don't stress about it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy... good advice :)
DeleteEnjoy the time in Florida and blog when you can! I have Be Frank With Me in print, but may listen instead.
ReplyDeleteNise' - I listened to just a little bit of Be Frank With Me today and the audio is captivating... that may be the way to go!
DeleteAnd Then there Were None looks so good! Looking forward to that... and love the kite pic!
ReplyDeleteGreg - The trailer was very creepy... hope the movie is as good. I'll probably want to reread the book afterwards.
DeleteNice to be enjoying the Florida way of life. We get a little every night on the elections on our news and er... Donald Trump!
ReplyDeleteKathryn - I know... he's just scary!!
DeleteAl of those books look wonderful! I've been wanting to read Missoula for quite some time.
ReplyDeleteMelinda - Missoula is an excellent book, but difficult to read at times. It will make you very angry... but an important book, for sure.
DeleteI don't think I'd feel like blogging if I were in FL either LOL I appreciate the Instagram pics that you post. Glad u started reading a bit more though as I'm always curious to see what you are reading.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I'm glad to be reading again, too, and am sure the blogging will work itself out. Glad you're liking the instagram pics :)
DeleteOh, I am so envious of your beaches...although I'm only two hours away from several, I don't seem to get over there often enough.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy! I am curious about Be Frank with Me, as I've heard good things.
Here are
MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Laurel-Rain Snow - Be Frank With Me is off to a strong start and I just love the audio narration! May have to look for a print copy so I can get through it even faster!
DeleteI really want to listen to the audio of Be Frank with Me, but the library queue is SO LONG for it. It will be a classic by the time it gets around to me. I LOVED Missoula but hated what I was listening to at the same time. I became so agitated with everyone involved, even some of the victims. It certainly got me past my aversion to non-fic. Have a great reading week!
ReplyDeleteKathy - The beginning of Be Frank With Me is SO engaging... I just love it! Still recovering from Missoula...
DeleteMissoula sounds horrible but important, I might read this if I can couh it in plenty cozy comfort reads. Looking forward to reading your thoughts on it! I have Notoriuous RBG in my Scribd library but as an audiobook, would I miss the color graphics very much?
ReplyDeleteHave a good week and happy reading!
Bina - Your right about Missoula! The graphics and photos in Notorious RBG add a lot, but the great majority of the book is text. If you're listening, I'd recommend at least taking a look at the print edition, either in a bookstore or a library, if it is available.
DeleteOh, I want to read Like Family and Missoula. RBG is interesting too. I used to read lots of autobiographies and biographies and then got out of the habit. I wouldn't be reading or blogging much if I was in Florida. Enjoy your time there. We, bloggers, will still be around.
ReplyDeleteGrammajudyb - I don't read nearly as many biographies as I used to, but am enjoying Notorious RBG very much so far.
DeleteI keep seeing BE FRANK WITH ME everywhere. I need to check it out.
ReplyDeleteENJOY your week.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My It's Monday, What Are You Reading
Elizabeth - I am just loving Be Frank With Me so far... narration is excellent!
DeleteI absolutely loved Be Frank With Me! It was one of my fave books this year! I liked reading it because I liked savoring it!
ReplyDeletePatty - Be Frank With Me is SO good... can see why it's one of your faves this year. I'll be featuring it in a Tuesday Intro tomorrow :)
DeleteIt's okay about a blogging routine. I've tried developing one, but am glad just to be able to post on Sundays. That seems to work for me.
ReplyDeleteBryan - My goal is to post three times a week, but I've gotten more relaxed about that this winter.
DeleteI've been seeing Be Frank With Me everywhere and it's one I want to read as well. I love that you get to vacation in Florida every year and how amazing that you will move there once your husband retires!
ReplyDeleteAthira - Be Frank with me is a wonderful book. I'm really enjoying the audio version! We'll probably keep out house in Central NY after my husband retires... it get's pretty hot here in the summer. Not sure I can handle that ;-)
Delete