Good morning, friends, and Happy Halloween. I was up extra early this morning letting the dogs out (we're still "grey-b-sitting" Angus and he's not quite as patient as Zelda) when it occurred to me that I'd missed an anniversary. Sometime during all of our travel, fall activities, and dog-sitting, Lakeside Musing turned eight! It's hard to believe that this blog, started on a whim, has become such a long-standing and enjoyable part of my life. In addition to the books, I especially value the friendships forged over the years and the opportunities I've had to meet several of you. Thank you so much for reading with me, and I look forward to many more years of bookish fun!
Finished this week//
Current reading//
The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud
On the blog//
This or That Book Tag
Book Review: Amsterdam by Ian McEwan
My Current Read: The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud
Nonfiction November//
Yes, it's happening!! More details can be found here. I love this annual event, and it will definitely influence my reading choices next month.
Will your November reading include nonfiction?
This post will link to It's Monday, What Are You Reading? hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.
Congratulations on the birthday, but I think it's us who've gotten the present! )
ReplyDeleteThank you, Audrey... that is so sweet.
DeleteHappy Blogoversary!
ReplyDeleteHappy blogoversary! I've had eight years in, too, but because my original blog has been merged into some of my other six sites...well, it didn't seem appropriate. But I have loved every minute of blogging (except the first year, I guess, before I really connected with other bloggers).
ReplyDeleteI am curious about The Emperor's Children...I enjoyed the author's book The Woman Upstairs. So...I'll be watching for your review. It sounds promising, though.
Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Laurel-Rain Snow - I continue to be amazed at your ability to keep so many blogs! Years ago I tried a second food/cooking blog and it was too much, but can't imagine not blogging at all.
DeleteUnless something changes drastically in the last 40%, The Emperor's Children could turn out to be a favorite this year... just love the writing!
Congratulations on eight wonderful years!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy :)
DeleteCongratulations on eight years!
ReplyDeleteIt is an accomplishment to keep a Blog up that long.
Your site is also excellent. You have a great writing style and your choice of books and topics is super.
To the next eight years!
Thank you so much, Brian. I appreciate that.
DeleteHappy 8th Year! Glad the book is turning out to be a good read for you.
ReplyDeleteNise' - Hard to believe it's been that long. Thank you.
DeleteHappy 8th anniversary! That's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteAnd you've got me curious about Emperor's Children - sounds right up my alley - especially the Interestings comparison
Sarah - I've actually been thinking of you as I read The Emperor's Children. We'll see what happens with the last 40%, but so far it's a winner.
DeleteSo happy you are in my blogging world!!!! I love what Audrey wrote. My words, too.
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you, Nan. That is so sweet. Your blog was one of the first few I started reading, and a motivating force to start my own... I wanted to join the conversation!
DeleteThank you, Vicki. I hoping to be blogging for years to come!
ReplyDeleteAgree they have been wonderful years for your followers! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jill.
DeleteHappy 8th birthday to Lakeside Musings! Sounds like you've been busy with the Grey-sitting! Did I ever tell you we had a retired racer for awhile? She was such a sweetie and watching her run was amazing though it was a bit like having a deer take up residence in the house with the way she moved. Turn of the Screw is on my TBR. I think audio sounds like the way to go!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - No, I didn't know that! They are the sweetest dogs... wish I'd started with this breed years ago. Back when we first got Zelda, I pulled in the driveway, saw a deer near the house, and thought it was her - coloring and movements. Audio is the way to go with Turn of the Screw, but I wouldn't be in much of a hurry. There are so many other creepy season reads out there... and this was just okay..
DeleteA big happy birthday, JoAnn, to your wonderful blog! I'm so happy you started it and so happy you are still blogging faithfully here.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deb. This seemed like a natural progression from the online book clubs :)
DeleteCongrats on 8 years-- that's amazing and well done! I've read your blog for about the last 3 of those years and enjoy your posts, bookish or not.
ReplyDeleteThe Emperor's Children looks like a good read to me, and glad to hear you are enjoying it.
Thank you, Rita. I'm glad to have discovered your blog, too :)
DeleteHappy 8 years!!! Good for you- and here's to many more. Have a wonderful week JoAnn!!
ReplyDeleteI can hardly believe we've been at this for 8 years. But we 2008-ers are a great, great bunch. So glad I've gotten to meet you here and in real life.
ReplyDeleteBeth F - The class of 2008 is pretty great! Hope our paths cross again :)
DeleteHappy Blogiversary, dear friend. I have so enjoyed all of your wonderful book recommendations, recipes, beautiful photographs (especially of Sanibel!) and general chit-chat. I hope we get a chance to meet f2f someday. Here's to many more years of blogging!
ReplyDeleteLes - Finally meeting f2f would be the best - maybe in Sanibel?! Your blog was one of the first I discovered and still a favorite after all these years. In fact, it was one of the reasons I started blogging...I wanted to join in the conversation!
DeleteCongratulations, JoAnn! I wasn't fortunate enough to have discovered your blog soon enough to have followed for eight years, but I have loved it since I did find it. :-)
ReplyDeleteI would never have guessed the subject of The Emperor's Children from the title, and I guess I've missed the reviews - or maybe skipped them because of the title.
I'm hoping to join in Nonfiction November this month. See you there?
Debbie - Thank you... and yes, you'll definitely see me at Nonfiction November. Putting the finishing touches on my first post tonight :)
DeleteEight years! That's amazing to me. Congratulations! I loved The Emperor's Children. Great choice!
ReplyDeleteSusie - I never expected to be at it this long... something just clicked! The Emperor's Children is just amazing so far. Quite sure it will end up being one of my favorites this year.
DeleteHappy Blogversary, how exciting to be celebrating 8 years.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marce :)
DeleteHappy anniversary, and congratulations on eight years!
ReplyDeleteI hope there is more Trolloping in our future :)
Lisa - Thank you! I'm planning to start Can You Forgive Her? after we get to FL in January. We'll see how it goes and decide on the Palliser series later. I know Audrey is thinking about it... hope you'll consider it, too!
DeleteCongratulations!! Hope to see you blogging for many more years to come. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, I have to try listening to horror audiobooks! I don't know why that thought didn't come to me, but I'm going to see what I can pick next.
Athira - The Turn of the Screw was much better on audio, so I can't help but wonder how many other books like it would be, too. I still wouldn't be in a great hurry to read it (or listen)... there are so many other (better) choices out there!
DeleteI found you late but I am happy that I found you!
ReplyDeletePatty - And so am I!! :-)
DeleteHappy Blogiversary! 8 years strong and hopefully many more to come!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melinda!
DeleteHappy 8th anniversary and long may you continue blogging!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Katrina :)
DeleteCongratulations on reaching year 8! A big achievement. I have loved your blog from the first time I read it. Love the personal touches and am interested in many of the same books. Keep on blogging and may you go far into the future with it. All the best, TP
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Pam... and I certainly feel the same way about your blog :)
DeleteTo my mind, The Emperor's Children is a tour de force. It was my #1 book of the year when I read it, which was when it was first published. So smart, so true, so many insights to be found. It made me a fan of hers. I thought The Woman Upstairs was very thought-provoking and intriguing, but so far I think the latter book is Messud's classic work.
ReplyDeleteAnd The Turn of the Screw I read on a very rainy early spring afternoon in my single 20s, lazing about in my first apartment, and luxuriating in this novella. Puzzling over it was purely delicious. I haven't read it since. I do wonder what I'd think of it now?
So glad you're having time to READ!
Judith - The more I read of The Emperor's Children, the more I agree with you! It is such an intelligent, well-written, and insightful book... and I'm not even 3/4 though. Quite certain it will end up being a favorite this year. As for The Turn of the Screw, it is far from a favorite, but still a worthy read. Age and the audio version have cast a more decidedly sinister slant on the story. It's not a book I'd necessarily recommend, but I'm sure you must be curious to see how your perception might have changed over the year. Hope things are going well for you... maybe an update at the end of the semester :)
DeleteHappy blogiversary! I'm glad you still enjoy it. I like following your posts! Ahh I love dog-sitting and dog walks. I too am a dog person, hooray! Enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. I think 'dog people' are the best :)
DeleteEvery time I read/listen to Turn of the Screw, I come away with a different notion of what happened! Happy blogiversary!
ReplyDeleteLisa - I've read the book twice and that's been my experience, too. Listening cemented my most recent opinion, but it also gave the book a slightly darker and more sinister feel.
DeleteCongratulations on 8 years of blogging - that's such a big milestone. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jade!
DeleteHappy 8th blogiversary :-D My November will also contain some non-fiction reading - I always have at least one non-fiction on the go alongside my fiction reading. I have the added encouragement now of my church's book club, which we generally read Christian non-fiction for.
ReplyDeleteJesssica - Thank you! Hard to believe it's been 8 years. I like the idea of having a fiction and nonfiction title in progress all the time.
Deletecongratulations on your long lasting whim, lol, and to many more years! Emma at Words And Peace and France Book Tours
ReplyDeleteThanks, Emma!
DeleteI'm so sorry for being so late to the party - but a happy & wonderful bloggiversary! Wishing you many more years!
ReplyDeleteIliana - Thank you... I hope to be here for a long time!
Delete