Colorful Matlacha Island
Another week has past. The island seems slightly quieter (or maybe it's only my imagination) and the season is winding down. We have composed our list of things to do, projects to complete, and appointments to schedule before heading north. It's also time to start thinking about the trip itself... what to do, what to see, where to stay. I love planning a road trip!
As for reading...
Finished this week//
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
It's as good as everyone says! I couldn't stop reading/listening and stayed up until 2 AM to finish.
Current reading//
I'm not exactly sure how this happened, but I have four active bookmarks right now. I'm most comfortable with two - one print and one audio. Occasionally it creeps up to two in print when I have one physical book and one on my kindle to read in the dark at bedtime. This week's trip to the library left me with an additional print book... which I justified because it's a short story collection. We'll see how this goes.
Jezebel's Daughter by Wilkie Collins
A review copy from OWC, I had hoped to pick up this relatively slim (by Victorian standards) novel a few months go. After just a couple of chapters, I can see it will contain many of Collin's signature devices and hope it is just as much fun, too.
American Housewife: Stories by Helen Ellis
I was really excited about this collection when it was released in January, but reviews have been mixed. Decided to pick it up after I discovered it on the library shelf Friday... the first two stories get two thumbs up.
Clouds in My Coffee by Julie Mulhern
The third installment of The Country Club Murders is on my kindle courtesy of Henery Press and NetGalley. I really enjoyed the first two books of this cozy mystery series, so decided to request the latest. I read the first two chapters last night and don't expect to be disappointed.
The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante
Remember how I succumbed to #FerranteFever last year? Audible offered one of her earlier novel as a daily deal last week and I downloaded it right away. Like The Neopolitan Novels, it is narrated by Hilary Huber, told in the first person, and does not appear to have an especially cheery tone. It is also just as compelling so far.On the blog//
Let's just say this didn't turn out to be the week I got caught up on reviews... and leave it at that ;-)
Later today//
Typical Sunday stuff ... farmer's market, a walk on the beach, and my FIL will join us for dinner. I do love Sundays!
What are you up to today? Are you reading a good book?
This post will link to It's Monday What Are You Reading? hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.
I Googled Sanibel the other day, because I wasn't completely sure where it's located. I enjoyed so much browsing those pictures, as well as yours. I think this year should be the year that your route north runs through Texas :)
ReplyDeleteLisa - Do you know I have never been to Texas! One of these years...
DeleteWhen Breath Becomes Air is high up on my list for Nonfiction November! And I was one of those who thought American Housewife was so-so...and my favorite stories came later in the book. I'm thinking if you liked the first two, you may like the whole thing! Enjoy planning your roadtrip back!
ReplyDeleteSarah - Well that's encouraging... the second story (email exchanges over redecorating common hallway) just cracked me up. Hope to read another tonight.
DeleteWe're in Longboat Key getting ready to head home after a very relaxing week. I read two terrific books- Stephanie Evanovich's newest and best- The Total Package and Celeste Ng's Everything I Never Told You. Both were terrific.
ReplyDeleteDiane - Glad you had a great week in Longboat Key. We'll be in Sarasota toward the end of the week to see friends. I've never read Stephanie Evanovich, but just loved Everything I Never Told You. It was a favorite a couple of years ago. Safe travels back to NY!
DeleteGlad to hear you are loving all of your books. Have a great Sunday. Looks like I will get some walking in today. It was little cold here in VA yesterday - very light snow flurries!
ReplyDeletePat - Snow in VA too? Winter just doesn't want to give up this year, lol. Happy Sunday :)
DeleteI love planning road trips, too. Hard to believe you're getting ready to head home again, but I'm sure it's starting to get warm & buggy. I liked When Breath Becomes Air, but not nearly as much as Being Mortal. Enjoy your Sunday. I'm hoping to get out for a walk later and read on the porch for a bit, if it isn't too windy. I just started I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh. Not sucked in yet, but I'll give it a few more chapters...
ReplyDeleteLes - The past week has been just perfect, but there was a stretch of heat & humidity the previous week. I'm not a fan of humidity!! Being Mortal was better than When Breath Becomes Air in my opinion, too, but I rated them both 5 stars. Hope I Let You Go grabs you soon.
DeleteGuess what else I just started? Be Frank With Me on audio! I didn't think I'd like Frank's voice, but I'm hooked. I've been listening while dusting, which is something I rarely ever do, but I wanted a reason to listen. :)
DeleteLes - Oh, good!! I had to keep reminding myself there was just one narrator.
DeleteI love Sanibel...is it hard to return? Do you go to the same place every year? Would you ever live there year round? We forever debate this topic!
ReplyDeletePatty - We have the same debate! My FIL gave us his place when he moved to a senior living community in Ft. Myers. We did some renovations in 2014, but this is the first time we stayed all winter. I think I could get used to living here all year, but we'll continue to be snowbirds for the time being.
DeleteI have been wanting to read Jezebel's Daughter. It looks really interesting and I'm glad to hear your enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteWhitney - I've read 6 or 7 fairly short chapters and it seems like it will be classic Collins... a good thing, in my opinion!
DeleteIf I was on Sanibel I truthfully wouldn't leave :) but I understand you have northern obligations. Of course for a few months of summer it is extremely humid, moody weather, daily rain, but hey that's the exchange for a beautiful setting. I haven't been back in a year so hope to plan a trip again sometime to see my relatives.
ReplyDeleteI would like to read Breath Becomes Air and Being Mortal soon. Not sure if I'm in the correct mood lately to read these topics though.
Enjoy your week, your road trip planning and your reading.
Rita - I could definitely get used to being here all year and I know my FIL would love it, but my parents are back in NY and I could never move away from them at this point. You'll definitely want to choose the right time for Being Mortal and When Breath Becomes Air. I was sobbing as I finished WBBA.
DeleteThis happens to me too (the four-book thing). Right now, a 'serious' book, a lighter book, an audiobook on the Ipod for walks, an audiobook in the stereo for falling asleep to... I think that as long as they don't all fit into the same category I can do it, kind of. :)
ReplyDeleteAudrey - Very true about keeping the categories separate... I've got a classic, a cozy mystery, short stories, and literary fiction. It may be a long time before I finish anything!
DeleteGorgeous photo at the top of your post! I am envious of your island life...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing...and enjoy your new week. I am eager to get my hands on Clouds in My Coffee.
Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Laurel-Rain Snow - Matlacha is a very colorful island! They call it the Key West of SWFL and I can see why. Clouds in My Coffee may still be available on NetGalley.
DeleteI loved When Breath Becomes Air. I too just couldn't walk away from it and stayed up WAY past bedtime to finish it!
ReplyDeleteLisa - When Breath Becomes Air seems to have that effect on everyone! I reached the point where I couldn't put it down until it was over... 2 AM is way past my bedtime!!
DeleteI love planning a trip almost as much as I enjoy the trip itself. How long do you typically take to travel from Florida to New York?
ReplyDeleteI've only read one Wilkie Collins, but truly enjoyed it. Perhaps my next Collins book should be this "slim" one ...
Molly - We allow 5or 6 days, but try to stay flexible. We might find something unexpected to see or do, or the weather may be bad and we'll along sooner. Our minimum is 2 nights on the road with three 8 hour days of driving, but that doesn't leave much free time. The leisurely pace is a lot more fun... one year we hugged the east coast all the way up, another time we visited Civil War battlefields. We're thinking about National Parks this trip, bit no decisions yet.
DeleteThe more I hear about Kalanithi's book, the more I want to read it. I'm just a little terrified about because I know it's going to be sad.
ReplyDeleteCannot wait to hear about your plans for the return trip!
Athira - It is very sad... I was sobbing toward the end. Choose your reading time carefully!
DeleteReally want to read When Breath Becomes Air. I imagine it is one very powerful book! Also can't wait to hear about the Wilkie Collins book!
ReplyDeleteIliana - Oh, it is! I'm working on a review now...
DeleteI must add When Breath Becomes Air to my wish list. Thank you for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteDeb - Be sure to keep the tissues handy... it had me sobbing.
DeleteLove that pic! Looks like another sunny day in FL. :) Enjoy the rest of your time there, hopefully winter will release its grip on the north before you get home. Good grief this past week has been yucky.
ReplyDeleteGlad Mulhern's latest is out on Netgalley and hope it's great (I'm sure it is). I'm glad she gets them out so fast- hopefully more coming.
Greg - I read somewhere that this will conclude The Country Club Murders, but I hope that's not the case.
DeleteSounds heavenly!
ReplyDeleteBethF - I could get used to it ;-)
DeleteWonderful picture. Enjoy your books this week!
ReplyDeleteMy It's Monday! What Are You Reading? post.
Majanka Verstraete - Thanks, you too!
DeleteI definitely need to read When Breath Becomes Air! So much buzz about this book!
ReplyDeleteLori - It's excellent... hope you get a chance to read it!
DeleteI quite liked the sound of American Housewife but know what you mean about mixed reviews. It put me off a bit but it's still on the list. Will look out for your review. Emma
ReplyDeleteEmma - If those first two stories are any indication, I'll be giving it a very positive review.
DeleteI need to get to Paul Kalanithi's sad story sometime this year. It sounds like it captures so much. And I'm glad to hear that the earlier Ferrante book is good too. Enjoy your island in the sun.
ReplyDeleteSusan - It's such a sad story, yet he gives you so much to think about. Definitely worth the heartache.
DeleteGlad to see you decided to give American Housewife a shot. I thought it was a fun story collection - though not every story was perfect, there were definitely some gems!
ReplyDeleteShannon - The first two were great, so I think that's a very good sign. Will read another story tonight.
DeleteI got practically all of my Elena Ferrante novels from Book Depository. I have yet to read her Neapolitan series. :) Enjoy your novels!
ReplyDeleteMyra - Thanks. So far I have enjoyed all the Neopolitan novels and The Lost Daughter.
DeleteI'm so happy you finally got to When Breath Becomes Air!! I actually want to re-read that one sometime later in the year. It just touched me so much. Julie Mulhern's books have been on my TBR list for so long. I really want to read them, but there are just so many hours in a day.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I'm working on a review for When Breath Becomes Air now.. it's a tough book to write about.Julie Mulhern's books are a lot of fun.
DeleteClouds in my Coffee sounds really good! I am such a cozy mystery girl these days. I am interested in your thoughts on American Housewife. It was a DNF for me, unfortunately. I wanted to like it more than I did. Lol.
ReplyDeleteErin - Funny how reactions vary so widely with American Housewife... looking forward to reading more of the stories. Sometimes there's nothing like a good cozy. They're my preferred escapist reading these days!
DeleteI like the cover on Clouds in My Coffee. :)
ReplyDeleteENJOY the rest of this week...looks good.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Elizabeth - I love that cover, too! It's such a fun series.
DeleteI've read the first two installments of the Country Club Murders, and I'm happy to see Clouds in my Coffee!
ReplyDeleteDebbie - Me, too! The first two installments of The Country Club Murders made me into a cozy mystery fan.
DeleteI read Wilkie Collins' "The Moonstone" several years ago and have always wanted to read more of his books. One of these days. ☺️
ReplyDeleteJudyMac - The Moonstone is my favorite Wilkie Collins novel, though I really enjoyed The Woman in White, too.
DeleteI love a good road trip. I went to put that one book on hold, the one everyone is talking about and I already put it on hold! I guess I forgot.
ReplyDeleteTi - LOL! I've done that, too.
DeleteOkay, I had When Breath Becomes Air in my hands at Costco a couple of weeks ago and put it back. Have to go back tomorrow - guess what I'm bringing home this time!
ReplyDeleteLisa - Be sure to pick up a box of tissues, too ;-)
Delete