It's the first full day of fall and there's a definite chill in the air this morning... my favorite time of year!
Our focus this past week was on maintenance. We spent two days on the car... the first included routine service and new front brakes. We got new tires the following day. Our vehicle is now ready to head south, but I plan to enjoy autumn first.
Later I endured another trip to the dentist for my second (and final!) crown replacement. Unfortunately the temporary fell out Friday night and I have to go back again tomorrow to get it re-cemented. Ugh.
We also managed to squeeze in some fun. A free afternoon and gorgeous weather prompted a trip to the apple orchard. We usually go a little later in the season (when my favorite baking varieties are available) but were thrilled when we happened to hit Honeycrisp Day! That variety is not grown in large quantities here and is only available for picking a couple of days each season.
Finished this week//
The Prime Minister by Anthony Trollope
Book 5 of 6 for our #PalliserParty, my thoughts are here.
by Anne Bogel, narrated by the author
Every reader will be able to relate to this short book! I'll post a book brief this week.
Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race
by Debby Irving
by Debby Irving
Oh boy, this book will surely send me down a rabbit hole! In Waking Up White Debby Irving speaks very candidly about her awakening to race, race issues, and her previous pattern of avoidance. She comes to realize that white IS, in fact, a race. This was a fascinating read and Irving's experiences have given me plenty to think about. More enlightened readers may find the book too basic, but I have never read anything quite like it.
I listened to the audio version narrated by the author and it was excellent. I also ended up checking out the print edition to see the lists for further reading/viewing and to review the author's notes on sources. There is so much more to explore...
My rating:
Set aside for now//
by Sigrid Nunez
Recently long listed for the National Book Award, I was enjoying the writing in this short, unusual novel and had marked several passages. But after one hundred pages, I was in the mood for something with more plot. I own this book and do plan to pick it up again later.Up next//
The #GothicGala begins tomorrow! We'll start with The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe, reading one volume per week for the next four weeks. We'll discuss on twitter using the hashtag #GothicGala. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen will follow. It's not too late to join us!
On the blog//
#PalliserParty: The Prime Minister by Anthony Trollope
My Fall Reading List
Book Club Read: Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
The week ahead//
There will be plant of packing and planning...Thursday we're off on our next adventure.
How was your week? What have you been reading?
I love honeycrisp apples, and I wait for them every fall. We aren't having fall weather yet, though the calendar has turned.
ReplyDeleteI will be interested to see what you make of Udolpho. I really struggled with it, but I hadn't read much besides Austen at the time.
Lisa - I think this is the first time I've ever tried honeycrisp apples. They're so good! I read a few pages of Udolpho last night... it could be a struggle :(
DeleteI'm a few pages in Udolpho and so far, enjoying it. It's VERY Gothic in tone.
ReplyDeleteAmy - I decided to try a few pages last night. What have we gotten ourselves in to?? It's going to be very slow going for me, I'm afraid. Hope the story and Gothic entertainment are worth it, lol!
DeleteI'm reading it on my Kindle, and I have a little bit of a tendency to skim when I do that. That might work in my favor here!
DeleteArrrgh. I happily put my warmer quilt on my bed and opened the windows last night, then had to close them because my occasionally noisy neighbors were being noisy. :) I love the sound of your Gothic Gala... if I wasn't over-committed, I'd join you! But as Anne Bogel confirms, being overcommitted is perfectly normal. I've been listening to the audiobook, narrated by the author, (thanks to you, and your tweet!) and it's charming.
ReplyDeleteAudrey - Anne Bogel's new book was just a delight. I'm glad you're enjoying it! I read a few pages of Udolpho last night and am a little worried...
DeleteIsn’t it fun to prep for trips? I love car trips!
ReplyDeletePatty - Yes, so much to plan! We're going to fly to Las Vegas, visit several National Parks, including the Grand Canyon, then end up in Santa Fe for a visit with my BIL and SIL. Can't wait!
DeleteWhat fun. Santa Fe is perfect for this time of year! Chili festivals!
DeleteSuch lovely days ahead! Enjoy...and I love that photo.
ReplyDeleteWaking Up White sounds like a good one.
Funny about that whole crown thing...one of mine fell out yesterday; an old one. On the weekend, of course, so I'll have a call in to the dentist tomorrow. I hate that whole replacement process!
Enjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Laurel-Rain Snow - Oh, no... sorry to hear you're having problems with old crowns, too. Seems like all of my dental work needed to be replaced at the same time. I hate the process, too, especially since we don't have dental insurance. Waking Up White was a great read. I'm hoping to read White Fragility during Nonfiction November.
DeleteI so wanted to enjoy a great fall with pretty days ... but it's been dreary and cold for Sept. and it's snowed twice already, argh! But luckily it melted after a day. I hope you have a great time at the Grand Canyon & Santa Fe! Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSusan - Oh, no.... snow already??? It's fair game here by mid-October, but September is just so early. This will be my first trip to the Grand Canyon and I'm beyond excited. Love Santa Fe and have visited many times.
DeleteYour adventure sounds wonderful. My husband and I love to travel in the West, especially New Mexico. Taos is such a beautiful little place, too; maybe you can sneak in a day there.
ReplyDeleteI'm completely taken with your reaction to Waking Up White. I've never really been clear on what it means to be "white." I'll have to look for this book.
Deb - I'd love to sneak in a day trip trip to Taos. Bet my BIL and SIL would welcome a day there, too... thanks for reminding me! Hope you can find Waking Up White. It was really an eye-opening read for me.
DeleteHoneycrisps are my very favorite!!
ReplyDeleteSarah - I think they're my new favorite now!
DeleteI love my dentist but hate going to see him so I feel your pain. I felt like I spent all last week in doctor's offices.
ReplyDeleteI really want to read Waking Up White.
Kathy - Thankfully the temporary crown is back in now. Hope you can find a copy of Waking Up White... it's so good!
DeleteSorry about your crown issue. I had a crown a few months back and they were able to do it from start to finish in 2.5 hours - no temp. It was an awesome experience.
ReplyDeleteWe hope to hit an apple orchard this week. I'm loving this cooler weather. I also want to read Waking Up White! Enjoy your week.
Diane - I've had crowns where they do the whole thing in one appointment, but this one was way in the back and they like to send those out to be made at the lab. At least the temp is in again now....
DeleteSuch a gorgeous picture! Now that fall is actually here, I'm looking forward to all the changes it brings. Hope your dentist visits are finally over!
ReplyDeleteSusie - The temp has been re-cemented, but I have to go back for the final crown in another week or so. I'll be glad when it's over!
DeleteI love books that send me down rabbit holes. I'll have to see if my library has a copy. I had to have crown replaced ... NO FUN. Happy apple baking and love the sunset photo.
ReplyDeleteBeth F - I haven't had a rabbit hole experience in a while... this should be fun! Yesterday I made an apple pie. Maybe a cake next :)
DeleteHoneycrisps are my favorite apple. Hopefully, I'll have a tree of my own planted next Spring since we missed our chance with our recent landscaping. A visit to an orchard sounds like fun. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy -How wonderful to be able to pick your own apples! The honeycrisps were delicious. So glad we have a lot of them.
DeleteUgh on both the dentist and the car! I had a similar situation with my car over the weekend, little things to be done so I could get it registered.
ReplyDeleteInteresting selection of books, too. I'd Rather Be Reading sounds like a good one!
My list!
Aymee - Yeah, between the dentist and the car, it was a trying week. At least there were books ;-)
DeleteI Wasn't familiar with Anne Bogel. Have happily found out my library has them both. Onto my list they go. Can't believe it's time for Sanibel so soon, where does the time go!!! Have been in Calif for 3 weeks and flying back to Tasmania tonight. Hipefully I'll sleep but if not I have my books ready to open!!🤠🐧
ReplyDeletePam - Glad your library has her books. I enjoyed the first one, too. We won't get to Sanibel until late next month, but I'm already looking forward to it. Safe travels!
DeleteThat image at the top of your post is lovely. We haven't seen that play on light lately. Our weather is too hot and static at the moment.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your crown drama. I hate the dentist even though mine is a super nice guy. LOL.
Ti - We've had some gorgeous sunsets over the last couple of weeks. Just love the angle of the sun this time of year. My dentist is great, too, but it's never any fun to visit.
DeleteI will have to get the audio of Waking Up White--sounds so interesting. Enjoy Udolpho--it's a rich stew, that's for sure! Enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteJaneGS - The author's voice and expression added to the audio experience. SO glad my library has hoopla. It's tough getting into the language/flow of Udolpho, but I'll persevere. LOL at the rich stew description!
DeleteSorry about the dental woes. My weekly updates
ReplyDeletePussreboots - Got the crown re-cemented late this afternoon, so all is week. Now to wait for the permanent to arrive from the dental lab!
DeleteOh the dental stuff sounds like no fun but hopefully it's all dealt with now. Honeycrisp apples are my absolute favorite though they're not always the easiest to find here. When I find them I buy lots! Hope you have a lovely week!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - The temporary crown is back in now, so I'm happy. It'll be another week or so for the permanent to arrive. The honeycrisp apples are so good! I might have a new favorite :)
DeleteHope your dentist visits are finally over. You've got some very interesting reads here. Enjoy them all.
ReplyDeleteMystica - One more dentist visit after our trip... to cement the permanent crown. I'll be glad when it's all over.
DeleteFall is the best! We still have to visit the apple orchard but I am looking forward to it. How cool, Honeycrisp day! They are so delicious! I am a Gala girl though. :) Lol.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Erin - Gala have been our favorites, too, but I'm loving these honeycrisps!
DeleteIt sure doesn't feel like fall in New Mexico. ;) I was surprised to see all the Halloween candy in the grocery store until I remembered it's the end of September! We have recently discovered Honeycrisp apples (we usually get Gala) and LOVE them!
ReplyDeleteI'm eager to try I'd Rather Be Reading, not that I'm doing much of that these days. ;)
I started this comment when we were in Clovis, NM and now we're in Lubbock, TX where it's 89.
Gorgeous sunset (sunrise?) photo. If I don't chat with you beforehand, have a great trip! Looking forward to hearing all about it.
Les - Yes, that's a sunset. Looks like we're going to hit the heat in Las Vegas, but it will be more comfortable by the time we get to the Utah parks. Right now we're looking at 60s for the Grand Canyon, but you know how those long range forecasts go! Packing is getting a little tricky... we're off tomorrow morning!
DeleteWe were planning a trip out to the Hoover Dam from LV and have decided to add in Valley of Fire. Looks like we can do them both the same day. Thanks for the suggestion. Will let you know how it goes!
I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the Hoover Dam. It was a very windy drive for me that day and I was so nervous driving over the dam (with the wind gust warnings) that we decided not to stop and play tourist.
DeleteSafe travels!
I like Honeycrisp apples. I will have to look into the reader's life book. I've read a few other bookish books lately so I feel I should read this one too. See what I read at Girl Who Reads
ReplyDeleteDonna H - I'm always up for another book about books :)
DeleteOh, I wish I didn't have so many books lined up for review for the next couple of months - I'd love to join #GothicGala. I've always wanted to read The Mysteries of Udolpho, after reading Northanger Abbey!
ReplyDeleteLisa - Turns out you made the right decision on Udolpho... Amy, James, and I have all bailed on Udolpho. Monica may still be plugging away. It was difficult to read in print and the audio version was truly painful!
Delete