Hello, friends! It's another sunny Sunday in SWFL. Add in a nice breeze with low humidity and it just doesn't get much better than this. We hit a milestone with post-hurricane repairs this week- our upstairs main living area, interior stairwell, and lower level foyer are completely done! At last. The lower level guest area is coming into the home stretch, too. What a relief!
Highlights last week included an amazing dinner out with old friends, the 52% solar eclipse (so cool, but why didn't we join my brother and SIL in Little Rock for totality?), plus some beach and reading time.
Recent Reading//
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Even though I certainly read this book back in junior high or high school, large sections felt unfamiliar. I didn't like it much in my early teens and, all these years later, reading about Huck's adventures was still a bit of a slog. Switching to a read/listen combination made it a little easier. Elijah Wood’s narration (available free with an audible plus membership) was excellent. I don’t read abridged editions, but it might have been a better option in this case.
⭐⭐⭐
James by Percival Everett
As you probably already know, this book is a reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn told from Jim's point of view... though he actually prefer the name James. And it is brilliant! It's also thrilling, subversive, and, at times, difficult to read. The author took some interesting liberties with the story in the second half and the conclusion literally took my breath away.
This was another read/listen combination for me and the audio version narrated Dominic Hoffman was excellent. I'm curious to read more of Everett's work, possibly The Trees next. Have you read it?
I should also mention that rereading Huck Finn certainly added to my appreciation of James, though a reread is not absolutely necessary. I would, however, recommend at least skimming an abridged edition. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Current reading//
Ladies' Lunch by Lore Segal
This short story collection by New Yorker writer Lore Segal features 16 stories about a group of elderly women who have regularly met for lunch for more than 40 years. The stories deal with aging, loss, etc. and, as you might expect, the overall tone is somewhat melancholy. I'm glad it such a slim book.
About to start//
Girls and their Horses by Eliza Jane Brazier
This is the May selection at MMD book club - an unusual choice for them and for me. I have the ebook on my kindle. We'll see how it goes.
Later today//
My plan is to spend some time on the beach this afternoon... walking, shelling, and reading.
The week ahead//
It should be a relatively quiet week ahead. Other than the expected delivery of the downstairs bathroom vanity, we don't have anything special planned... at least not yet. It should be a blissfully 'routine' week.😊
How was your week? What are you reading today?
I’m starting to think about reading your combo of Mark Twain’s original and the recent pastiche of Huck Finn. You and others have convinced me. Great to hear t hat your home is beginning to be finished with repairs.
ReplyDeletebest, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Mae - I hope you enjoy the Huck Finn/James combination. I had my doubts while reading Twain, but I'm glad I did. James was remarkable.
DeleteI'm glad your repairs are almost done, must be a relief. Love the photos, all those begging birds and a beautiful sunset.
ReplyDeleteWeather up this end of the state is nice for today. I was sitting outside reading while Loki sunned. Ladies Lunch might go on my list, looks like a good read for sitting out on the patio. Looking forward to hearing what you think of the MMD book as well.
Tina - It's such a relief to have most of the repairs done. Got a call this morning and the bathroom vanity is coming tomorrow - hooray! Ladies' Lunch is a bit of a downer. Never finished it yesterday (got wrapped up in Girls and Their Horses) but I plan to today. Hope your week is off to a good start!
DeleteIt sounds like the repairs are coming right along. It must a relief to see the end in sight. I am glad you are enjoying the lovely weather! We went from sunny and warm earlier this past week to cold and rainy this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing good things about James and am glad you liked it. I think my mom's book club is considering reading it. Ladies' Lunch sounds like a collection I might like. I will have to look for it.
Enjoy your time on the beach and have a great week, JoAnn!
Wendy - James is such an interesting book, but if there are a lot of sensitive readers in your mom's book club, that could be a stretch. I'm going to read more by Percival Everett. Have a good week!
DeleteSo nice that you're almost done with repairs! That would be a relief! I've never read Huck Finn, but if I do I'll be sure to go with the abridged version, lol. I don't do abridged versions either. Glad to hear James was such a hit. Beautiful views of the ocean! Have a wonderful week, JoAnn!
ReplyDeleteRachel - I've never been a fan of Mark Twain and think you could get away with an abridged version if you do choose to read it. Can't believe I'm even typing that, lol!
DeleteI am so happy for you that the hurricane repairs are almost finished. With each task that is completed, I am sure you feel a sense of relief.
ReplyDeleteHelen - This has been a long haul - 18 months and counting! I hope when we're back next winter life will seem even closer to normal.
DeleteIt's been years since I read Huck Finn, and I already had James on my list, but I like the idea of rereading Huck as a means of comparison!
ReplyDeleteJenclair - James can definitely stand on its own, but having Huck Finn fresh in my mind made the experience even better. I did't enjoy Huck very much though...
DeleteLook at all those birds. I've been doing so much birding lately that I want to enlarge your picture and identify each bird in the photo!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of doing a Huck/James combo read, but lately I have not been successful in reading fiction. I'm not sure what's going on, but it is very frustrating.
Deb - There were hardly any birds here last winter (because of the hurricane, no doubt) and it's been so good to have them coming back this season. Still not at pre-storm levels, but maybe next year. I'm always struck by the many species of terns... we seem to get quite a few. In years past I've spotted banded birds and taken photos for identification. Love to get the reports back of how old the bird is, where it was banded, and other places it's been spotted!
DeleteHumidity is still high here even though the temperatures are dropping.
ReplyDeleteYay for the rebuild progress!
Wishing you a great reading week
Shelleyrae - I am not a fan of humidity, lol! Unfortunately it's coming for us later this week.
DeleteI listened to Huck Finn several years ago and was delighted with it. Then I tried another Twain and failed. I think that people had longer attention spans 100 years ago! Thanks for visiting Head Full of Books.
ReplyDeleteAnne - I think you're right about people having attention spans these days. I still like to get lost a good, long book though.
DeleteThank you for the notice about the Elijah Wood version available on Audible - I just downloaded and started it. I've honestly can't recall if I've read either Tom Sawyer nor Huck though I have attempted Tom and failed when I was in one of those 'what to read...' spells. So, since I'm headed to Powells this week (YAY!!!) and needing to know what book I will purchase when there - might as well be James by PE. I have read The Trees. It is wild! SO very funny when it really shouldn't be but succeeds in being absolutely awful and horrible AND amazingly importantly? humorous. It's a marvel. Not to discourage you AT ALL because I think it is a fabulous reading experience. I have read 4 books by this author, saw the movie based on Erasure but not yet read. I own "I am Not Sidney Portier". call me a fan. Glad you are progressing positively back to enjoying the Florida life.
ReplyDeleteCare - That audio really saved me with Huck Finn. Even with the great narration, I was listening at 1.75x close to the end. BUT having that fresh in my mind increased my appreciation of James. Thanks for the info on Everett's other books... look forward to reading more.I'll go with The Trees next. Enjoy your trip tp Powells... I would love to visit one day!!
Delete(that was me, btw... Didn't realize my WP identity didn't set itself. Yahoo - miss the old days...)
ReplyDeleteIt must be lovely in Florida this time of the year! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteJodie - Loving the weather here lately. The rainy season will set in soon... then we are all holding our breath for what comes next! Hope your week is off to a good start.
DeleteHow nice that your repairs are almost finished. I'm sure you'll be happy when it's all done. We're having great weather in my part of Florida too. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteYvonne - Glad you're getting this glorious weather, too! Trying to enjoy it before the humidity kicks in in another day or two.
DeleteSo glad you liked the James retelling or reimagining. My sister liked it as well. It's good to know it's not the slog that Huck Finn also was to me back in March. I really had some trouble getting thru parts of it -- the King & Duke characters were too much. But I still admire Twain's efforts & courage to put it out in 1884. And it's wonderful to hear about more of your repairs being done. Terrific!
ReplyDeleteSusan - The short chapters in James made turning the pages. It was a surprisingly quick read. The King and Duke chapters in HF were the worst! I'd be interested in your thoughts if you decide to try James.
DeleteI really want to love Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn but I can really be more enthusiastic than just okay. Yay for making progress on repairs! I'm sure it has felt like an endless task. PS The Emperor of All Maladies makes for great slow reading - the chapters are divided up well so I tend to hit a stopping point at about 20 minutes.I hope you're having a great week!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I think Huck and Tom are hard to love, lol! Happy to read about your approach to The Emperor of All Maladies today... it's been on my list for years and has always seemed so intimidating.
DeleteIt's so great when you get to tick off a finished room or space or whatever isn't it?
ReplyDeleteJinjer - Absolutely! It's the best.
DeleteLove the picture of the gulls! Everyone is ready for some beach time! You have really piqued my interest in James, although I think I would skip the Huck Finn reread. I'll be interested in hearing how you like Girls and Their Horses--I recently read Horse by Geraldine Brooks and their is a section in their that deals with girls and their horses :)
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week.
JaneGS - There are so many more shorebirds this year than last... another sign of hurricane recovery. In addition to the gulls, there are at least 3 species of terns there. So happy they're back! As long as you remember the basics of Huck Finn, you'll be fine with James. Girls and Their Horses is a mystery/thriller and seemed on the YA side to me, yet I couldn't put it down. My copy of Horse is in CT and I'll be reading it later this year.
DeleteGlad to hear that the renovations are wrapping up! Yay! Too bad you didn't get to see the eclipse in totality, but even a partial is fun. We saw the total eclipse in 2017 right after we moved to Oregon. It was pretty cool!
ReplyDeleteI doubt I'll read Huck Finn before I start listening to James. I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed the narration of the book. If I ever finish the Stephen King book that I'm listening to, I'll get going on James. Lady's Lunch sounds good, but probably somewhat depressing, eh? I've been spending the past few days sitting outside reading by the creek that flows by our campsite. Love it! I rarely sit outside and read at home since it's either too chilly or the sun is behind the trees.
Les - It's been a long time since I last read Stephen King, but I hope you're enjoying it despite the length. Ladies Lunch was pretty depressing... which is fine, but it's good to know what you're getting yourself into. Enjoy your time reading by the creek... that sounds so peaceful and relaxing!
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