Do you see that sliver of a sunset? It seems that "rainy season" has arrived in southwest Florida and, after a week of gorgeous sunsets, this was all we got on Friday evening. The humidity is oppressively high and it was already 80 degrees when I went for my walk early this morning. Good thing I've found a mostly shaded route! I think I'll be ready to head north at the end of the month... although it looks like it might be just as warm there!
Finished last week//
South to America: A Journey Below the Mason Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation by Imani Perry, narrated by the author
This was a read/listen combination, but I primarily listened on my morning walks. An interesting combination of memoir and travelogue with plenty of history for background and context, I'll have a short review later this week.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
My second five-star read of the month, this was just so much fun! Get on your library's hold list now and keep an eye out for my thoughts later in the week.
Current reading//
The Promise by Damon Galgut
This is the 2021 Booker Prize winner and my current read/listen combination. It's much more literary than the last couple of novels I read and a welcome change of pace. I purchased the book in NYC last month and downloaded the audio, narrated by Peter Noble, from my library via hoopla. I'm about halfway through it now.
On the blog//
In the kitchen//
The focus of my meal-planning last week was on emptying the freezer and I made good progress. I'm trying to use up pantry staples, too. Since I stuck with recipes from the regular rotation, there aren't any new ones to share.
But, we did enjoy splitting this delicious margarita flight for our TGIF lunch at 400 Rabbits. That was definitely a highlight of the week!
The week ahead//
We will focus on packing and prepping for our trip north this week. I also have a checkup with my dermatologist, then lunch with my SIL as a reward. It's hard to believe we are closing in on Memorial Day weekend. Our plan is to hang out here and enjoy one final weekend at the beach. Do you have special plans?
That's it for me...how was your week? What are you reading today?
The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.
I also loved Book Lovers ( I adore Emily Henry’s books)! Margarita flights - what a wonderful idea! Have a lovely week ahead!
ReplyDeletethathappyreader - I think this was Emily Henry's best book yet. This is the first time I've ever seen a Margarita flight - we loved it!
DeleteIt's rainy here too, almost every day. But then the sun comes out and the grass grows! Can't complain. Hope you like Book Lovers. I thought it dragged on a bit and wanted to see the romance develop much faster.
ReplyDeleteHarvee - I can see where some readers would complain about the beginning being slow, but I still loved it!
DeleteWe were celebrating my mom's 90th birthday this weekend, and it was a relief to find that the unusual 95-97 degree heat that was threatened was not as bad as all that. I'm never ready for that!
ReplyDeleteAudrey - Happy Birthday to your Mom!! So glad the heat wasn't as oppressive as predicted. Hope we can meet up sometime this summer, either CT or Boston... fingers crossed covid doesn't get any worse.
DeleteOur weather in Florida has been rainy too. When it's not raining, it's hot and humid. I keep seeing Book Lovers on other blogs and it looks so good. I have to check it out. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteYvonne - Book Lovers was such a nice change of pace for me. I rarely read romances, but this was a lot of fun!
DeleteI wish I were at the beach! I guess my mountains will have to do :) Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteCollettakay - If I can't be at the beach, the mountains are surely the next best option. Enjoy!
DeleteIt is hard to believe Summer unofficially kicks off for many of us next weekend. The return of the virus is upsetting but we both have gotten our 2nd booster. Hope you enjoy summer in you your new place in CT. I've had The Promise as a suspended hold at the library. I haven't quite been in the mood for it but will look for your review.
ReplyDeleteDiane - We've both had our 2nd boosters, too, and hope that with precautions we can enjoy the summer. I can understand why this might not be your best time to read The Promise, but I am impressed so far.
DeleteI love the picture! I love the ocean and can't get enough of it! I'm glad you enjoyed Book Lovers it does look like a fun read.
ReplyDeleteCindy - Book Lovers was such a fun read. I feel the same way about the ocean... just can't get enough!
DeleteMmm, those margaritas look good!
ReplyDeleteAngela - The margaritas were amazing!
DeleteI am in NY and it is also super hot and humid. I am not a fan :-) I think I'll have to surround The Promise with some light fluff on either side.
ReplyDeleteHelen - The Promise is heavier and darker than what I've been reading lately, but so good. Enjoy the rest of your time in NY!
DeleteThat's a really cool photo with that sliver of sun! Margaritas look delicious, especially the purple one!
ReplyDeleteJinjer - We've been here for years and I've never seen a sunset quite like that before... so cool! The purple margarita was berry-flavored and my favorite!
DeleteA margarita flight would be a delight! I'm going to look into your 5-star reads.
ReplyDeleteThe Gal Herself - I'd never seen a margarita flight before this place!
DeleteWill Book Lovers ever arrive for me here? And after seeing a gazillion rave reviews, will it be a disappointment? I hope not.
ReplyDeleteI'll be eager to see your thoughts about The Promise. I haven't been up for a literary read lately, but I'll see what you think.
Deb - I hope Book Lovers gets to you when you are in the mood for that type of read. The timing was perfect for me.
DeleteThe Promise is excellent. I can already se why it won the Booker, but it's definitely heavier and darker than what I've been reaching for lately.
I have been eyeing Book Lovers, so I'm glad you enjoyed it. I love the look of those margaritas! Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteLaurel-Rain Snow - I just loved Book Lovers... what a fun read!
DeleteYou convinced me. Book Lovers is downloading to my Kindle as I'm writing this. Enjoy your remaining time in Florida. I would relish some warm weather - even with humidity - here in Minnesota. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - I sure hope you enjoy Book Lovers as much as I did... loved the dialog, especially. Hope you get some spring soon.
DeleteHi, JoAnn,
ReplyDeleteIt's been so long since I've posted a comment here!
I've been weighed down by lots of things, and lately the incredible surge of Covid cases here. Unlike before, so many people I know have or have recently had Covid. Crazy.
I just finished listening to Book Lovers and loved it, although the beginning chapters did not grab me at all. Yet it all came together and my enjoyment increased with each chapter til the end.
It must be bittersweet to have your last big weekend in Florida. I will miss it for you as well. Looking forward to your life in Connecticut this summer.
Hi , Judith!
DeleteIt's good to hear from you... it's been a long time! The surge in NY has been awful! Thankfully my 86-year-old parents have still managed to avoid it, but both of our NYC daughters are currently sick. Seems like everyone in the city that hasn't caught it yet has it now.
Glad you loved Book Lovers, too. It hooked me right away and kept me turning the pages...and laughing out loud. I think it's Henry's best book yet.
As much as I love being in Florida for the rest of the year, I don't mind leaving for the summer... the hurricanes and heat are too much! We bough a place in CT that's very easy for our daughters to visit, and in a town we love.
Hope you've been reading lots of good books and wishing you a peaceful summer. Take care.
The Margarita flight looks fun and I want to try them all. I think your rain has drifted up to us and I'm not a fan. I hope you are having a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I'm hoping we can go back for another flight over Memorial Day weekend ... they were all SO good!
DeleteIt is indeed hard to believe Memorial Day is upon us. This month has flown by. Grocery prices are getting out of hand so we have been making use of Publix BOGO deals. For the holiday we will stay home. It's too crazy at a campground on holidays and we can make use of our grill and back porch without crowds!
ReplyDeleteTina - I'm shocked every time I go in the grocery store (or pharmacy, or gas station...) these days! Publix BOGO deals are the best and, until the last few weeks, I've been using them to stock my pantry and refrigerator... now I'm trying to use everything up before we head north. I've always hated traveling on holiday weekends, too, so we'll head out early next week.
DeleteHave a safe trip, my friend!
DeleteThanks, Tina!
DeleteWhat a great photo of the sunset! I’ve never seen a “sliver of sunset” like that before!
ReplyDeleteI’ve been on the fence about reading Book Lovers as I’m not a romance reader, but your comments have led me to put the book on hold just now! There’s quite a long list, so many others agree with you! 😊
Yes, we’ve been cooking from the freezer as well. After a frustrating hunt for ingredients in our pantry, it’s time to start cooking through that as well!
Safe travels!
Miaismine - We've been here for several years and I've never seen a sunset quite like that either. I love how it's different every night! I rarely read romance and don't think I've read one in a couple of years, but Book Lovers was so funny and cozy... I loved it! Hope you enjoy it, too.
DeleteOur rainy season continues to hold on, ignoring the fact that it's almost summer. We've had over 6" this month and 7+" last month. Enough is enough! Thankfully, we don't get your oppressive humidity.
ReplyDeleteI didn't add Book Lovers to my summer reading list, but I have the audio (courtesy of Libro.fm) and may have to squeeze it in.
I would love to find a restaurant in our travels that serves margarita flights! Yumm. Not sure I could drive the rv back to our campsite, though, so maybe it's better to just have one. ;)
We're back on the road tomorrow, heading up to our favorite local campground an hour and a half from home. We just got back from Bend, Sisters and La Pine (Central Oregon), but didn't want to camp in a state park over the Memorial Day weekend, so we're boondocking until Monday afternoon. It was nice to come home and do some laundry before heading out again.
I'm still reading/savoring Damnation Spring. It will definitely be on my Top Ten list of the year. It's outstanding!
Les - I hope your rainy weather eases up soon. At least around here, it gets pretty cool when it rains... at least for a little while.
DeleteBook Lovers struck just the right chord for me. The dialog made me laugh out loud and, once they all got out of NYC, I just loved the rural NC setting... and of course, the book angle.
Each of the margaritas in the flight was about 1/3 - 1/2 regular size, so we decided to split one flight. Thankfully, the restaurant was just over a mile from our house. They we so good!
Glad you got to recharge at home for a bit... enjoy the rest of your travels. And I need to look up Damnation Spring!
Oo that margarita flight!!! How fun!!!
ReplyDeleteErin - It was pretty amazing!
Delete