Hello, friends... hard to believe it's Sunday already. The week really flew as we mostly finished our bathroom remodel (still waiting on a light fixture and shower doors), enjoyed more gorgeous fall weather, and read great books. I'm calling it a win!
Recent reading//
Where the Forest Meets the River by Shannon Bowring
This is the follow-up to one my favorite novels from last year, The Road to Dalton. Five years have passed since our last visit to "the county." Now it's the summer of 1995 and we're back in Maine's northernmost reaches to check in on old friends. What have they been up to and, more importantly, how are they coping with the unexpected death which occurred in book one? I loved learning how some characters are thriving while others flounder, and seeing how relationships deepen or become fragile and stressed. It was interesting to note how even attitudes toward Dalton itself had evolved. This is another character-driven novel that delighted me from the first page. It is easily one of my favorite books of 204.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Current reading//
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
I used an audible credit for this memoir read by the author, then the library came through a couple of days ago with the ebook. Halfway through and I'm enjoying it quite a bit!
The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz
This was another ebook surprise courtesy of my FL library. How I got to the top of the hold list so soon, I'll never know! Just settling in and I can't wait to see how this story unfolds.
The week ahead//
Halloween is here! I'm loving all the decorations around town this year. We'll have some candy for the trick-or-treaters, but I'll be surprised if we get more than two or three. We're planning a dinner with friends one night, and also looking forward to a visit next weekend from our daughter, son-in-law, and grandpup. My sister-in-law will be in the area, too, so we'll also get to spend time her and her bernerdoodle puppy!
Nonfiction November kicks off this week! Read all about it here.
How was your week? What have you been reading?
The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
Thanks for the reminder! Just jumped on the holds list for Ina's book. Wait time approx 88 days.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice week behind you and a nice one ahead of you. Enjoy!!!
Jinjer - Ina has such an interesting background! I never knew about anything other than the food stuff. Hope you enjoy it.
DeleteHalloween is totally all around us — our neighborhood must have more than 20 of those 20 foot skeletons, all in various disguises, and I can’t even guess the number of ordinary sized skeletons, animal skeletons, partial skeletons, pumpkins, spiders, and whatever. I hope you enjoy it, and that you do get a few trick-or-treaters. The intense atmosphere of our area attracts dozens of kids, so we have lots of candy ready.
ReplyDeletebest…mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Mae - The giant skeletons have been dominating the scene lately! I had to laugh when one of the FL weather forecasters announced after Hurricane Milton that it was now safe for people to bring them out... no more storms for the rest of October. We'll see what happens in November.
DeleteI cannot believe I am the first to comment--usually I am late to the party! Anyway, so glad to hear Where the Forest Meets the River delivered--I want to read this soon as I loved her first book as well.
ReplyDeleteI have always been an Ina Garten fan, and a couple of my favorite recipes that I make a lot are hers. I might give this one a listen as well.
My twins' birthday is Halloween, so we always celebrate, decorate, and enjoy the fun vibe. Happy Halloween :)
Thanks for the heads up on Nonfiction November. I have never participated, but I think I will this year as I have a couple nonfictions on the top of the TBR pile and I like the weekly prompts.
JaneGS - As I was reading Where the Forest, I couldn't help but notice the similarities to Elizabeth Strout's novels. I sure hope Bowring writes a third Dalton novel!
DeleteHope you get a chance to listen to Ina's book. In addition to the food, there is a lot about running her business. I've had an off year for nonfiction (other than Team of Rivals) and this is helping me get back on track. I may listen to Stanley Tucci's new book next!
Glad you're participating in Nonfiction November this year. I always come away from it with great recommendations!
Happy Birthday to your twins... what a fun day to celebrate :)
I never read Ina Garten. This looks good. I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteYvonne - I've been a fan of her cookbooks and television shows for some time. Really enjoying the book!
DeleteI'm glad you are enjoying the Ina Garten book. It's always a surprise to me when a book arrives for me long before I expected it.
ReplyDeleteMy birthday is the day after Halloween, so I always felt like everyone dressed up and passed out candy just to celebrate my day. lol
Deb - I will never figure out the library hold system... sometimes it just seems like magic. I though I had another 6 or 8 weeks to wait! Hope you have a very happy birthday!
DeleteI just put The Plot on my TBR -- I better get to it since The Sequel is already available!
ReplyDeleteI'm taking part of my Sunday to set up Nonfiction November posts. I'm looking forward to seeing what others have read and adding more books to my TBR.
Joy - I've enjoyed several Jean Hanff Korelitz novels, and The Latecomer was a favorite last year. Hope you get a chance to try The Plot.
DeleteI'll look for your Nonfiction November posts!
Yay for a good week. I love fall, the picture of the tree is so pretty! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindy. Fall is my favorite time of year.
DeleteCongratulations on completing the bathroom remodel! I bet it looks wonderful. Have a wonderful week ahead JoAnn. ☺️
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jodie!
DeleteI look forward to seeing what you think of The Sequel. Normally we don't get a real "Fall" here in So Cal, but I have one tree outside my house that has colored leaves. It makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteHelen - Since Hurricane Ian (and then Helene and Milton) we've stayed north until after the season ends 11/30. Prior to 2022, we would go back to FL in September or October. Can't believe how much I've enjoyed fall these past couple of years!
DeleteGuess you'll be moving down to Florida for the winter? Hope it's a nice one after all summer hurricane activity.
ReplyDeleteHarvee - Yes, we're waiting until after the holidays again this year. The island is still recovering from Ian two years ago, and I'm afraid Helene and Milton set things back a bit.
DeleteWhat a pretty tree up top. The leaves will be gorgeous soon. So glad that Bowring delivers again! I loved her storytelling in book 1 and I liked the audio version. Not sure when I will get to book 2. Happy Halloween! Enjoy your grandpup and take a pic.
ReplyDeleteSusan - I was almost done with Where the Forest Meets the River when I realized the audio version is available on hoopla. Maybe your library has it, too, when you're ready. I'll try and remember to take photos of the dogs!
DeleteI can't wait for the Bowring book and that;s great you thought it was so good. I am back from traveling and can now relax and read. Did not know Ina Garten had this book out. Can't wait to hear what you think about it.
ReplyDeleteTina - I think you'll love the Bowring book! Glad you're done with your travels for now... hope it all went well.
DeleteIna's book is our Cook the Books Club selection for Feb/March '25. Guess I'd better get on the library reserve list. I seem to have noticed waaaay more Halloween stuff locally than ever before.
ReplyDeleteClaudia - I'll be your Cook the Books Club will enjoy Ina's book! Good luck with the library hold list.
DeleteIt is so perfectly fall here right now and I am loving it!
ReplyDeleteI need to add those two books to my list! I love books about towns and interesting characters, so that series sounds perfect.
Erin - We have had the most beautiful fall here in CT! The leaves changed earlier than usual because it's been so dry , so they're starting to fade some now. I'll bet you'd enjoy the Dalton books.
DeleteWhat an interesting array of books! We are having beautiful Fall weather too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Olivia. The beautiful weather continues!
DeleteI picked up a copy of Shannon Bowring's new book when we were in Healdsburg, CA a few weeks ago. It's a Christmas present to my mom, but I hope to read it once she's finished. :) I may have to reread The Road to Dalton, though, since I've forgotten a lot about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to decide whether to read or listen to The Sequel...