Good morning from sunny, but cool, Sanibel. Thanks to winter storm Grayson, our trip back took longer than expected. We spent an extra night in Fredericksburg, VA before setting out again Thursday morning. Our winter driving skills were really put to the test... the area around Richmond was especially treacherous! We canceled a visit to Savannah, opting instead for a quick overnight in snow-free but freezing Jacksonville, FL and finally got home late Friday afternoon.
As you might expect, I haven't picked up a book or audiobook for most of the week. I did, however, finish a couple of short books just before the beginning of the year.
Finished last week//
Hot Milk by Deborah Levy
Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2016, this book has been on my kindle for a while... probably purchased as a daily deal somewhere long the way. I have a weakness for big prize contenders and the plot sounded intriguing. Hot Milk turned out to be the kind of quiet, interior novel I tend to enjoy. The setting and narrative imparted a vague sense of unease palpable throughout, though the pace was somewhat slow. Overall I liked the book, but didn't love it.
The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui
I'm not a huge fan of graphic novels or memoirs, but try to read one or two a year. Roz Chast is a favorite and I'd been hoping to get Going Into Town: A Love Letter to New York from the library before the end of the year. When it became obvious that wouldn't happen, I looked for other possibilities. Described as "an intimate and poignant graphic novel portraying one family’s journey from war-torn Vietnam" this book has received praise from the book blogging community and was also available for immediate download from my library via hoopla. It was a quick, interesting reading, though I was only lukewarm on the artwork. (image source)
Current reading//
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
My First Book of the Year, and unfortunately I have not picked it up since New Years Day. Now that we're back and settled, there will be progress this week.About to begin//
Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope
The #PalliserParty continues! I plan to start the audio version of Book 4 (narrated by Simon Vance, of course) on my walk later today. Audrey and I have been slowly making our way through the six book series. You're welcome to join us!How was your week? What are you reading today?
Perfect timing, since I'm just about to finish my library book. (Not wanting to leave the house, unless absolutely necessary, over the last week or so, has done wonders for my reading.) So I'll start today or tomorrow at the latest. I'm glad you're somewhere (relatively) warm, tho the worst seems to be over for us too.
ReplyDeleteAudrey - I'm glad it's finally starting to warm up a little. Started Phineas Redux on my walk this morning... wonderful to return to old friends, but my new wireless earbuds are even more wonderful. Not sure why I waited so long.
DeleteGlad your travels were safe and hope the worming begins soon. (For everyone!) I hope you enjoy The Heart's Invisible Furies as much as I did. Once you get hooked, you won't be able to do much else but read.
ReplyDeleteSusie - I finally got back The Heart's Invisible Furies last night... even more sure I'm going to love it now!
DeleteWe've been snowed in since Wed. night. Waiting for snow to melt by Tues. Enjoy your new reads!
ReplyDeletePat - Hope you're back to normal life now. The snow and cold has wreaked havoc with so many plans...
DeleteSomething happens to my first post and it always disappears...I don’t know why! I never understood why people wanted to spend the winter in Florida but this year I get it! I can’t get warm!
ReplyDeletePatty - It seems like everyone is having trouble with blogger lately... I sure appreciate your persistence! Hope it's finally warming up where you are.
DeleteThe temperature here on Long island has ranged between 7 and 16 degrees Fahrenheit the last few days. Hopefully it will warm up soon.
ReplyDeleteI just finished The Duke's Children. I will be posting on that book and the entire Palliser series in a couple of weeks. Have fun with Phineas Redux.
Brian - Hope temperatures began to warm up a little for you today. It's almost back to normal here. Congratulations on finishing the Palliser series. I will look forward to your posts. Phineas Redux is off to a good start... feels like a visit with old friends so far.
DeleteBet that was a miserable trip, but you guys are experts at driving in the snow. Probably not the rest of the people you were driving around as you came further south. LOL
ReplyDeleteKay - At this point, we've had more experience with winter driving than either of us ever wanted. The folks in southern Virginia and the Carolinas didn't stand a chance though. So happy to be here, at last.
DeleteIsn't it incredible how cold it's been everywhere? Glad you are in a warmer place! I have Hot Milk on my kindle and one of these days I plan to get to it. Sounds like a story I would enjoy.
ReplyDeleteIliana - I have a feeling Hot Milk will be one of those novels which improves as you continue to think about it.
DeleteI know you're glad to be in warmer weather - hopefully this deep freeze is just about gone. I really liked The Best We Could Do even though the drawings weren't stunning.
ReplyDeleteKathy - The story in The Best We Could Do was really very good, but the drawings didn't do much for me.
DeleteGlad u arrived safely! It has been brutal here but, 40s coming this week - I’ll take it! I read Hot Milk - very different but, I did like it. Have a nice week!
ReplyDeleteDiane - Hope the warmer is already moving in to your area. It almost feels back to normal here, too. The more I think about Hot Milk, the more I like it.
DeleteI have mixed feelings about Hot Milk because I keep reading mixed reviews. I may pick it up one of these days. Lucky you to be safe and sound in the south!
ReplyDeleteBeth F - If you skip it, I don't think you'll miss anything special.
DeleteSounds like you had a harrowing journey home. It looks like our cold snap has finally moderated. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - Glad it's finally warming up for you...can't believe the frigid temps. Have a good week.
DeleteI have The Heart's Invisible Furies on my list...and I did enjoy Hot Milk a while ago. Glad you got home safely...enjoy the week! Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
ReplyDeleteLaurel-Rain Snow - So far I'm liking The Heart's Invisible Furies much more than Hot Milk.
DeleteThe cover on Hot Milk is so pretty; it's too bad it wasn't a hit - ha! I hope you enjoy The Heart's Invisible Furies; definitely one of my favorites last year! I am so happy to get back into a "regular" routine; hope your week is going well!
ReplyDeleteTara - The Heart's Invisible Furies is so good... I can understand why it made it to so many 'best of' lists. The holidays are always so much fun, but it's good to get back to real life. Hope it's a good week for you.
DeleteI wish I could escape to someplace else for part of the year. It would be a nice change of page. I get mired down with the routine of things.
ReplyDeleteTi - I just love our winters down here! Last year I became a Florida resident, so I'm here just over 50% of the time now... maybe even more in years to come.
DeleteHappy walking and reading. We are in scorching temperatures here. It is summer but hot even for summer. Breaking records. I dont know which is worse, deep freeze or scorching sun. Enjoy your days.
ReplyDeletePam - Scorching or freezing... whichever one you're enduring at the moment is always the worst!
DeleteIts hot and humid where I live as well. Your reading a mixed bunch of genres - always makes for the best kind of reading.
ReplyDeleteMystica - Mixing up genres keeps things interesting, doesn't it?
DeleteVicki - So are we!
ReplyDeleteThe Best We Could Do is already on my wishlist. I'm now adding Hot Milk to it. The kids are back in school but my husband has one more week off. Come see what I'm reading
ReplyDeletePussreboots - I wouldn't be in as much of a hurry to get to Hot Milk... read The Best We Could Do first.
DeleteHope it warms up soon for you now that you arrived safely.
ReplyDeleteNise' - We ended up having a beautiful week. Another cold front comes inlayer today to cool things down again, but it's still better than snow ;-)
DeleteIt has been very cold here too, although no snow! I have recently finished reading Super Food Family Classics by Jamie Oliver and The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman. Now I am reading Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi for my church's book club. Happy reading and hope the weather warms up for you!
ReplyDeleteJessica - I like Jamie Oliver and need to try more of his recipes! Hope you've had a good week.
DeleteGlad you made it back to FL--I'm definitely thinking that I need to become a snowbird. Winters are becoming such a drag.
ReplyDeleteHot Milk sounds intriguing, and I'll have to look for Going Into Town.
Happy Trollope reading--looking forward to getting started on the Palliser series myself.
Jane - I highly recommend the snowbird lifestyle! I used to love winter, but about 8 years ago it was like some switch flipped and I just couldn't take it any more.
DeleteThe first Palliser book, Can You Forgive Her?, was very good..and so far Phineas Redux is much better than Phineas Finn. The Eustace Diamonds is my favorite of the series so far.
Hi JoAnn, gorgeous sunset. Thank goodness for Sanibel. Sounds like a tough drive. Hope you are enjoying the Boyne book; I'm trying out a novel called Miss Burma from last year. Cheers.
ReplyDelete