Sunday, January 26, 2020

The Sunday Salon: January 26, 2020


Hello from Florida! It's been a wonderful, albeit chilly, week. Highlights included a book discussion at the library, a lecture on shorebird banding, and drinks with college friends I hadn't seen in decades. Friday evening we hauled our chairs and a cooler across the street to the beach for a sunset picnic. It was the perfect ending to a nearly perfect week.

Current reading//

by Anthony Trollope

I'm still plugging away at this 800+ page tome... and enjoying every sentence. It's almost eerie how much of what Trollope has to say about society still rings true today. I reached the 88% mark on my walk this morning and hope to finish within the next few days.


Book club//

by Richard Russo

Over twenty readers gathered at the local library to discuss Richard Russo's latest novel. The group was lead by a long-time member rather than a library employee this month. The leader  began with a brief biography of the author, followed with a short introduction of the main characters, then posed a series of well-timed, thoughtful questions as the lively, wide-ranging discussion progressed. Impressive! The book ended up on my list of 2019 favorites and it was a hit with nearly all of the other participants, too.

Next month we will discuss The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, another 2019 favorite. I listened to the audio version narrated by Tom Hanks, but will try to get a print copy and reread before the meeting.


Up next//
I'm not quite sure what I'll pick up next, but can guarantee both my upcoming print and audio books will be short!!


Viewing//


One of the reasons I didn't get much reading done this week was that I spent a ridiculous amount of time in front of the television!  In additions to the long, late hours of the Impeachment proceedings, I started (and caught up) with two Masterpiece shows -  Sanditon and Howards End. Tonight I'll watch them in real time. Both books were favorites years ago... the latter is on my Classics Club list  for a reread. This may be the year!


That's it for my week. How was yours? What have you been reading?



The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
It's Monday... What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.






48 comments:

  1. There is something comforting about reading a classic and finding similarities to life then with life now. I'm glad to see that you are enjoying The Way We Live Now So Much. It's very similar to how I am feeling about War and Peace.

    I think Richard Russo writes the perfect books for discussion. They always include ideas that are wonderful for talking about with others.

    I haven't read the new Ann Patchett book yet. I hope to get to it later in the year.

    I hope you have a lovely week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deb - I especially enjoy reading classics in the winter... not exactly winter here, but am continuing that reading tradition anyway. Safe travels this week!

      Delete
  2. A sunset picnic on the beach sounds amazing! You are doing so well on the Trollope book. I cannot seem to get into big books in the last couple of years. Anyway hope you have a great week ahead!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Iliana - This Trollope book is the longest I've read in a couple of years. For a variety of reasons, I've been shying away from starting anything too chunky. Hoping to break myself of that habit this year :)

      Delete
  3. That photo is beautiful! I didn't know Hanks narrated The Dutch House. I may listen to it. It's neat that you met up with college friends!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vicki - Hanks does such a wonderful job narrating The Dutch House... I'm sure you'd enjoy listening to him! It was so good to catch up with old friends. We reconnected on facebook, of course.

      Delete
  4. I've been really curious about Sanditon but haven't watched it yet. The Dutch House is on my TBR. I've been to Patchett's bookstore several times but somehow never actually read any of her books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katherine - I'd love to visit Patchett's book store one day. May have to take a detour that way on a future road trip!

      Delete
  5. Beautiful photo. A sunset picnic on the beach sounds amazing. Have a great week!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, AJ. That picnic was definitely a highlight of the week!

      Delete
  6. You have some amazing reads already happening and also among those lined up. Sounds like a fun week and month is ahead of you, in terms of books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Athira - I'm looking forward to selecting a few shorter books this week, lol!

      Delete
  7. Two such very good reads in one month. And one a tome at that. Wonderful reading.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mystica - It's been a long time since I last read an 800+ page book!

      Delete
  8. I love that your book group selects many current buzz books for discussion. Both Chances Are and the Dutch House were on my tops list as well in 2019. Our group has mostly seniors so the librarian selects books that she can easily obtain enough large print and or audio copies. Unfortunately, many of the books for discussion are ones that I have already read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane - It surprised me when the library chose such current books. They tend to buy multiple copies in print, large type, and ebook format but both my friend and I used our old "home" libraries to obtain copies. This group is mostly seniors, too, and quite a few snowbirds. I enjoyed the discussion very much.

      Delete
  9. That does sound like a wonderful week! Hope this week is just as great!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow, what a week! North Florida is still very chilly so I need to head south. The noseems/midges on the shore areas bother me though (allergy) soi need to be inland. But what lovely views you have.

    That Russo book is on my list, you’ve given me so many great suggestions on books. And Tom Hanks narrated Dutch House? That sounds amazing. I like him.

    Great recommendations on the Masterpiece Theatre shows too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tina - It's chilly again today, but I could never say that to my family up north... they'd just laugh. The noseeums are a nuisance. I use that spray on my legs/ankles when we're at the beach near sunset and it mostly works.

      I ended up missing Howards End last night, but will watch it on my computer before next week's episode. Loving both shows!

      Delete
  11. I've been really curious about Chances Are because I've been up and down with Russo in the past. I'm happy to her you and your book club members liked it so much. I'm adding it to my backlist TBR. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie - One thing I enjoyed about Chances Are was the mystery element... a bit of a departure for Russo, I think. It kept me turning the pages and there was plenty to discuss. I hope you like it.

      Delete
  12. Your week sounds lovely! And that beach view - I could use some color right now, that is beautiful. :) Enjoy your week. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erin - Yes, it was an excellent week. Hope your view changes from gray skies and mud soon... a fresh coat of snow makes everything beautiful this time of year!

      Delete
  13. What a fun week! The lecture on shorebird banding sounds interesting. I've enjoyed learning about the birdlife here on our coast since our move almost three years ago. I think one of my new favorite birds is the Oyster Catcher. We see them out on our rocky bluff and I love their pink legs. The library book discussion sounds great. I have that book on my TBR list and may just have to look for it today at the library even though I have a huge pile of my own books to read. The Dutch House is on our book club list for 2020 and I'll probably do a read/listen combo. I don't watch a lot of tv, but I'm binging on This Is Us and love it. My husband watched the first 4 episodes, but after that he said he was done. Too sappy for his taste. :) Enjoy the week! I'm envious of your sunsets. We've had too much rain to even see the horizon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Les - The shorebird banding lecture was fascinating! I've been trying to learn more about the birds here... so different from what we see in NY. The water issues over the past couple of years have influenced migration patterns and banding allows scientists to see where the birds are wintering instead. The roseate spoonbills are a local favorite here... they're so beautiful!

      As much as I'm enjoying Trollope, I do look forward to finishing and moving on to something very short ;-) Hope you get a break in the rain soon... I do love the "dry season" here!

      Delete
  14. Ooo The Dutch House- I bet that would generate an interesting discussion. I was in Florida last week and the weather was crazy- 80 on Wednesday and by the time we left on Monday, down to 40- ha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tina TBR Etc - The weather her has been a little crazy this week, too. My feet are freezing again today... need to find my socks ;-) Thanks for stopping by. I did visit your blog, but couldn't seem to leave a comment. Probably an issue on this end... I've been plagued with blogging problems lately. Sorry.

      Delete
  15. I'm not going to lie that I have zero interest in the impeachment proceedings. It's just too depressing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bryan - Depressing is a good word for it... I seem to be a glutton for punishment lately :(

      Delete
  16. Oh, yes, a sunset picnic sounds wonderful.

    I am eyeing the Richard Russo book...and hope to start reading my copy of The Dutch House soon.

    Enjoy your week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - I think both the Russo book and The Dutch House are books you would enjoy... a good story with plenty to think about and discuss. Hope you get a chance to read them.

      Delete
  17. I envy your weather. Minnesota is deeply snow-covered now and will be for months yet. I wish my local library had book groups. I'd often like to talk in real life about my reading. Come see me week here. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy - We are used to very long winters in upstate NY, too, so being here is a real treat. A steady stream of winter refugees will start visiting us in another week... I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. This is the first library book group I've belonged to and am pleasantly surprised.

      Delete
  18. That's a picturesque sunset. Glad you liked the library book group. I may try one here, as I no longer have a regular book group. I'm still hoping to get to Chances Are ... this year. Thx for recommending it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan - The library group was great, but they only meet 6 or 7 months a year. Might have too look around for an all-year group... or maybe even try to start one myself. I've been a fan of Richard Russo for a long time. He's never disappoints!

      Delete
  19. It's been awhile since I've read a 800+ page book but I know how exciting it can be when it's a great one! 88% is awesome; you're so close.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa notes... I finally finished today - hooray!

      Delete
  20. A sunset picnic and book club in the same week sounds wonderful!

    Wishing you a great reading week

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Shelleyrae. Hope you're having a good week, too.

      Delete
  21. I have Chances Are but I am trying to find the right time to read it. Right now I am on a real reading kick and totally absorbed by page-turners, thrillers, and the like. I am worried if I switch gears my pace will drop. Soon, though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ti - Hooray for a streak of good reading! Do whatever you need to do to keep it going. Russo will wait :)

      Delete
  22. I'm watching both of those shows and enjoying them. I'm also enjoying Vienna Blood on PBS.
    Donna at Girl Who Reads

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna - I'm not familiar with Vienna Blood, but will look into it.

      Delete
  23. Your library discussion sounds wonderful. You have me thinking I should add Trollope to my lists. The Dutch House, in my experience, was made for discussion! Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judy - I hope this month's discussion is just as good... not quite sure who the leader will be. My SIL just finished The Dutch House (she lives here now and will attend the book club this month) but didn't enjoy it as much as I did. I'm starting to wonder how big a role the audio played for me. She just dropped off her copy, so I can give it a quick skim to refresh my memory.

      Trollope seems similar to Dickens, though a bit more readable... at least to me. Are you a Dickens fan?

      Delete

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! Be sure to check back, I always respond. Due to a recent increase in spam, all comments are moderated.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails