Sunday, April 24, 2016

The Final Sanibel Sunday


This is it, the last Sanibel Sunday of the season. It's coming to you a little later than usual today because I decided to spend the morning reading rather than writing. Definitely the right decision... I'm going to miss this spot. As you might have guessed, my feelings about leaving are decidedly mixed. I'm not quite ready to leave Florida, but I am anxious to see my family and friends back in New York.

Twin A and her boyfriend flew in Tuesday night. We enjoyed their company for a few days and now they are driving one of our cars, and Zelda, back home. The rest of us will start the journey next weekend.

Finished this week//


by Erik Sherman, narrated by Darrel J. Caneiro
I loved this book...a must read for fans of the late 80s Mets! Much more than a simple "where are they now", these player interviews are filled with insight, reflection, and even regrets from those glory days.




The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
Just finished this morning - a very entertaining summer read!


Up next//
I'm not quite sure. I have a couple of novels for review and a slew of books I'm looking forward to on my kindle. My plan is to sample a few this evening before making a decision. I'll let you know...


by Paula McLain, narrated by Katharine McEwan
My book club will be discussing this next month. I used an audible credit to download the audio version and also put the ebook on hold at the library. I listened to the first 15 minutes or so yesterday and am just not feeling it yet. I think I'll go back to the beginning and try again. Have you read this book?


On the blog//
Review:  American Housewife: Stories by Helen Ellis
Review:  The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante
Tuesday Intro: The Nest  by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney


The week ahead//
Cleaning, organizing, and packing. Plus, we still have a few more items to check off the "to do" list. We'll hit the road Friday or Saturday... I suppose it's time.

How was your week? What are you reading today?


This post will link to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.

48 comments:

  1. I listened to the audiobook of Circling the Sun. While I wasn't too excited about the story I really liked the voice of the narrator. As well, I was eager to explore what the real life of Beryl Markham was like, not through the tainted lens of Paula McLain. So I turned to Straight on Till Morning by Mary S. Lovell, a biography of the fascinating life of BM.

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    1. Arti - I was enjoying the narrator's voice, too, but I'm not sure that will be enough to get me through the entire book. Like you, I'd prefer to read something more factual.

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  2. I'm glad you decided to read and enjoy your sunny spot! I'm immersed in Night and Day for the #woolfalong and greatly enjoying it tho it doesn't seem like a V.W. at all. Plus, I'm wearing a wool sweater because it's sunny out but has been coldish with the windows open. Safe trip home!

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    1. Audrey - Maybe I should give Night and Day a try. Sometimes I struggle when Woolf is too Woolf-ish ;-)

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  3. Aww, that must be bittersweet that it's almost time to come home. I think I'd have a hard time leaving too. Here's hoping you have a fantastic last week and beautiful weather.

    Hope the books are good. :)

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    1. Thanks, Greg. It's definitely bittersweet. We've had a great time this winter.

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  4. Enjoy your last few days in Florida! I read Circling the Sun in print and thought it was just okay.

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    1. Kathy - That's pretty much how I felt about The Paris Wife, too. Hmmm...

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  5. Circling the Sun is on my list, so I hope you warm up to it and it turns out great--I'll be checking back. Kings of Queens sounds great--we watched a lot of baseball in the 80s (pre-kid days) and baseball often makes for good reading.

    Safe travels.

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    1. JaneGS - What is it about having kids and baseball? To this day, I maintain that I haven't watched a complete game since our oldest daughter was born in 1990. Prior to that I was a rabid fan. I had batting averages, ERAs, and all sorts of other stats at my fingertips. I even read The Sporting News! I think this is the first baseball book I've ever read, but would love other suggestions. I may even try to watch an entire game this year...

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    2. I'll chime in here and say that you must read Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin. It's an excellent book about the Brooklyn Dodgers and her love of baseball. Oh, and I've got a bookmark in Summer of '98 by Mike Lupica, which is also very good. That was the year I was glued to the tv and we went to several Texas Ranger games at the beautiful Arlington ballpark. Like you, I haven't watched much baseball for several years. Maybe because I'd rather read or ride my bike? Who knows.

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    3. Les - I've enjoyed a couple other books by Doris Kearns Goodwin, will try and read Wait Til Next Year this summer! Thanks for the suggestion. Haven't read Mike Lupica, but am familiar with his work. It takes a lot of time to be a baseball fan and I'll never get back to where I was, but would like to follow it a little more closely this year. We'll see... so many other things to do!

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  6. I was just thinking about you... wondering if this was your final week in Sanibel. I would be filled with mixed emotions as well. Do you think you will ever retire there permanently?

    As I mentioned on Instagram, I'm very interested in reading/listening to Kings of Queens, since I still vividly remember watching the '86 world series to the bitter end.

    I'm intrigued about The Nest - I look forward to your review.

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    1. Molly - When and where to retire is the big question these days. We have explored almost the entire state of FL and absolutely love Sanibel, but ties to NY are still strong. I see us becoming in FL residents, but spending summers in upstate NY. We'll see.

      As for Kings of Queens, I cannot recommend it highly enough. I won't do a full review post because most readers of this blog wouldn't be interested, but I can "one book" the title to you through audible if you'd like. It's like giving a book to a friend... no charge or obligation to you. Let me know :)

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  7. Reading "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr. After reading so many books over the years where the subject was the Holocaust/WWII, I had decided I didn't need to read any more to further convince me how horrendous it was. However, I'm glad that I chose to read this book as it is so informative, well written, and, yes, sad in many respects. Informative in the picture it presents as the upheaval for the French, and the choices that must be made by the Germans. I haven't finished it yet, but I would certainly highly recommend its reading to anyone.
    I know you will miss Sanibel, but I'll bet you will appreciate a cooler climate by the time high summer arrives. I've heard the heat and humidity is pretty tough there in August. We've certainly enjoyed your pictures of what life offers on Sanibel while we're freezing our buns off further north. Have a safe trip!

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    1. JudyMac - We're getting into a "summer weather pattern" this week... maybe it won't be so hard to hear north after all ;-)

      I've borrowed All the Light We Cannot See from the library twice and never got to it either time. Maybe the third time will be the charm.

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  8. I read Circling the Sun and I must say I didn't enjoy it as much as her The Paris Wife. But it is very interesting.

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    1. Lisa- I went back and started the audio again...seems a little better this time. I liked The Paris Wife, but didn't love it.

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  9. I don't know why, but this post makes me sad. I'm sorry you have to leave that beautiful spot in Florida, but I suppose between the heat & humidity and missing your family & friends, it's time to go home. I will miss your beautiful pictures of that gorgeous place, though!

    I haven't read Circling the Sun, but I did read West With the Night (Beryl Markham's autobiography) many years ago and didn't really care much for it, so I don't really have any interest in this novelization of her life.

    I'm currently listen to The Guest Room by Chris Bohjalian, which is wonderful. I can't wait to get to work this morning so I can listen for a couple of hours! As far as a print book, I've just finished A Land More Kind Than Home (very good!) and am now taste-testing for something new to read. We'll see what I settle on this evening.

    Have a good week and a safe trip home!

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    1. Les - It's definitely a bittersweet feeling this week. I'm doing lots of cooking so my FIL's freezer will be well-stocked! The temp and humidity are both starting to rise, so that gives me a little nudge to leave. Hopefully we'll make some decisions by next winter.

      I started out reading Chris Bohjalian years ago, but then switched to listening to his books instead... they're always good. Will add The Guest Room to my list!

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  10. I hope you have a lovely last week! I can certainly see why it is hard to leave.

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    1. Thanks, Lisa. My parents are really anxious to have us back home again.

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  11. It must be just a little bittersweet to come home...I read Circling The Sun and never felt it!

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    1. Patty - I may be over the fictionalized biography trend. At least the narration is good...

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  12. I have heard so many good things about Circling the Sun. Enjoy!

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    1. Heather - I started over this morning and it seems to be going a little better.

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  13. Oh, I love your reading spot on that porch! I would definitely miss it, too; but going back to NY sounds good, too.

    I haven't yet read Circling the Sun...and I don't know why, as I have loved everything I've read by Paula McClain.

    I loved The Nest...hope you enjoy it, too.

    Have a safe trip home...enjoy your week!

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    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - I did enjoy The Nest! That may be my #1 beach read recommendation this year. It will be nice to get home... I just have a hard time with change ;-)

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  14. I can totally understand why you missed that wonderful reading spot! I currently reading The Phoenix and the Carpet by Edith Nesbit and a history of Henry IV.

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    1. Jessicabookworm - I've spent many comfortable hours there all winter... it will be hard to leave. Haven't read Edith Nesbit yet, but she's on my list.

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  15. I agree on The Nest...not winning any awards, but enjoyable beach read! And I really enjoyed Circling the Sun as well!

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    1. Sarah - I started Circling the Sun over and it's grabbing me more this time. I'm encouraged!

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  16. I hope you'll be able to return to Sanibel some day, JoAnn. But family ties are so strong, aren't they? Have a safe trip north.

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    1. Debbie - They really are, but if all goes well we will be back next winter :)

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  17. What a lovely reading spot! It's definitely sad to be leaving Sanibel but you'll be gone before the humidity shoots through the roof. We're in an oasis of perfect weather right now with temps in the 80s and low humidity but I know in a few months that humidity will be so high everything will just feel sticky. I'm glad you enjoyed The Nest. It's on my maybe list but I'll have to move it to my TBR. Good luck with Circling the Sun. I haven't read it but I do want to try the author. I have found a few things that just don't work as audio so hopefully that's the problem. Have a great week!

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    1. Katherine - We've had a few days with uncomfortable humidity, and I know it's just a small dose of what lies ahead. It's really better that I leave before that hits ;-)

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  18. Safe journey home. Youll be settled up north before you know it. ☺

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    1. Thanks, Pam. I'm already looking forward to next year :)

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  19. I was a bit surprised reading through the other comments because I really enjoyed "Circling the Sun." I didn't think it was QUITE as good as "The Paris Wife," but I learned so much about a woman I had never even heard of before. Reading the novel (which, admittedly, is a fictional account of Beryl's life) prompted me to read more about that extraordinary woman. I also watched the movie "Out of Africa" for the first time. Hope you give it another try and end up loving it!

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    1. Linsday - I started over with Circling the Sun yesterday and it's going much better! I'm optimistic now :)

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  20. Enjoy those last few days in Florida and have a safe trip home. I've got The Nest and look forward to getting to it.

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    1. Nise' - I think you're going to enjoy The Nest!

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  21. I've heard great things about the nest and it's on my list to read. Safe travels back up north!

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    1. Emma - The Nest would be a perfect summer weekend read!

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  22. I'm sure you will be happy once you get home in NY. The lake must be pretty by now. Enjoy your books & your road trip. Talk to you on the other end.

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    1. Susan - We're back! Looking forward to taking books again soon.

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  23. It's a great place, Sanibel, and you make me want to go visit there again. I hope you like the Paula McClain book. I liked The Paris Wife very much but I couldn't get into Circling the Sun. I just picked up The Nest but haven't gotten to it yet, right now I am on book #13 of the Inspector Banks series.

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    1. Tina - We made it home! I'm fully invested in Circling the Sun now... really enjoying it.

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