Sunday, January 8, 2017

The Sunday Salon: The Best Laid Plans...


Good morning, friends. I had hoped we'd be well on our way to Florida today, but illness and winter storm Helena forced a change of plans. As the same flu-like bug I'm recovering from struck Twin B and the weather forecast took an ominous turn, we made the decision to delay. So here is one more weekly update from the Great White North...

Finished this week//


Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
I finished this wonderful debut novel last night... and now that we're here for another day or two, I might even write a review. Gyasi is an author to watch!


Set aside for now//


LaRose by Louise Erdrich
I have listened to nearly 40% of this audiobook. The author's narration is excellent and the story is good... but I'm just not listening enough and progress is too slow. This needs to be a read/listen combination. I put the ebook on hold at two libraries and will pick up where I left off when it becomes available, or when I can walk and listen again in Florida... whichever comes first.



Current reading//


This book sounds interesting, relevant, and timely. I downloaded the audio version from my library after putting LaRose aside and am happy to report that it is instantly engaging. Rachel at Hibernator's Library is hosting a January/February read-along. Click here for her intro post.

I'll probably start another novel today, too.


The week ahead//
Plans are uncertain now. As soon as our daughter is feeling better, we'll head south.


How was your week? What are you reading?


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


51 comments:

  1. Sorry your plans got delayed. Helena was a big bust here.

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  2. Well, I answered your comment on my blog before reading your post here. So, you're not in Florida yet. So sorry. Hope all that have been sick will recover soon. I feel your pain. LOL

    Take care!

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    1. Kay - I know you do! Don't think we had the flu, but it sure took a long time to get over it.

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  3. I hope Twin B feels better very soon, and you can be off to warmth and sunshine. It snowed all day yesterday, and we got several inches - not as much as was forecast, but we've been missing out and it's so pretty (esp. wien you don't have to go out in it!) I've been reading an old book of letters from a woman who was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria, so snow, letters and Q.V. are making me feel very cozy. Safe travels when you go.

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    1. Audrey - That does sound like a very cozy Sunday! Twin B is improving today and we're hoping to leave tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

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  4. Hope you feel better soon, and meanwhile, enjoy those books. I am definitely curious about The Unwinding.

    Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog. Have a better week!

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    1. Laure-Rain Snow - The Unwinding is very good so far. I like that the experiences of specific people are provided as an example for each group... for example, the steelworkers in Ohio. Very interesting and readable.

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  5. Just picked up Homegoing from the library!

    Hope you get to Florida soon!

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    1. RR Gilmore - You're in for a treat. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

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  6. That's too bad about having to delay but hopefully you'll get some more rest and a little extra reading done! I'm curious about LaRose. My library has it on audio and I've been considering it. It sounds like I need to get the book too. Have a great week!

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    1. Katherine - I think I would be fine with the audio if I had more time to listen... it's just difficult with such short, infrequent listening periods. Would have supplemented with print if I'd had a copy available. Hope to get back to it before the month is out.

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  7. Great White north is right! It's cold and snowy here too- hope you guys are able to get on the way soon, and that you feel better. :)

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    1. Greg - Looks like we're finally heading out tomorrow!

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  8. I'm sorry you've been delayed, you missed our cooler temps...who knows if we'll get more in FL. I hope your daughter is feeling better soon. Safe travels.

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    1. Anita - Sounds like it will be sunny and warm when we finally get there!

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  9. Best laid plans etc. I thought of you when I was watching that storm.My brother is getting ready from visiting his daughter in Tennessee and driving back to northern Michigan where he lives.and I think they got delayed. Florida is cold right now anyway. Be nicer in another week. What have I been doing this week? I just put up a post about an hour ago about that very subject. haha. Hope everyone is feeling better soon. Travellin'Penguin

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    1. Pam - That storm probably changed a lot of plans, but I'm glad we we're planing on going down for just a week. Might have had to cancelled then. It should be warm again by the time we get there:_

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  10. Seems to have been an eventful week for a lot of folks up and down the East Coast. Sorry your road trip has been delayed. My week began New Years Day with a bout of acute bronchitis (heretofore unheard of in my world) and ended last evening with the furnace going out at a time we were just recovering from a light layer of mostly ice in the metro area. Weather Channel says it's to be 71 degrees here by Thursday. So, if your folks get rid of the flu bug, you may be able to roll the windows down as you proceed through the Sunny South. I'm reading about one of my favorite subjects: Paris .... "The Only Street in Paris--Life on the Rue des Martyrs" by Elaine Sciolino. Very lively and interesting read. Of course, interesting history lurks in every corner of Paris, but this street is definitely off the tourist route and crawling with ghosts of everyone from Thomas Jefferson to Picasso who have either lived on the street or close by. A great Paris neighborhood. Look forward to hearing you've made it safely to Sanibel.

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    1. JudyMac - Sounds like your year is off to a rough start! I hope you are fully recovered now, as you enjoy your time in Paris. We are going to hit the road this morning!

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  11. What a shame you had to delay your trip south, but so good for your daughter to have you nearby to help while she recovers from her bug. As others have said, maybe it will be warmer by the time you start your drive down. We're supposed to get almost up to 40 today, which will feel heavenly! I had a relaxing, yet productive weekend, actually working on some blog posts. I may not write long reviews anymore, but I want to get something posted about the books I've read. I'm still reading Coming Home (Rosamunde Pilcher) and A Vintage Affair (Isabel Wolff) and listening to Trevor Noah's memoir, Born A Crime. All three are quite good and holding my attention.

    Safe travels!

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    1. Les - Audible offered Born a Crime free to members one day before (?) Christmas... could have sworn I clicked over to get it, but can't find it in my library now. It's getting some great reviews and I'm glad you're enjoying it, too. My reviews seems to be getting shorter and shorter, too. Seems to be the general trend in blogland these days.

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  12. I hope your daughter feels better soon and y'all can get out of the cold for a little bit. At least you have a lot of good books in the meantime! There's something special about 'being there' at the beginning of an author's career. :O)

    Here's my It's Monday! What Are You Reading? post.

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    1. LuAnn - I've never thought of it like that, but you're right... there IS something special about 'being there' at the beginning of an author's career!

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  13. So sorry for the illnesses, but sounds like a good plan to wait a bit before heading south. I know what you mean about having to set aside books, even good ones, when the mood or circumstances aren't right.

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    1. BethF - I really hated to put LaRose aside but it was becoming a chore, and it's just too good of a book to think of that way. No ebook yet, but I'm hoping for a beach walk by Friday!

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  14. Sorry to hear you had to postpone your trip! I really need to read Homegoing soon!

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    1. Laurie - Homegoing certainly deserves all the praise it's receiving!

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  15. So sorry to hear you've been sick. The flu seems to be particularly bad this year and the COLD! Brrrr.... Homegoing is at the top of my list for 2016 books I still need to get to. So glad you loved it. I tried LaRose and could not connect with it, so gave up at about 30%. Here's to a better week!

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    1. Susie - I really wanted to loved LaRose, but I got to the point where I was dreading it. Will be curious to see what happens when I can listen or read a large chunk of it at once.

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  16. Oh no sorry that you and your family has not been feeling well! Hopefully you are healthy soon, and can head down south, and feel those warm rays of the sun!

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    1. Erin - We are leaving later this morning - yay!

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  17. I hope you are on your way to Florida soon. I'm already tired of northern weather and would love to join you. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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    1. Kathy - They said on the news last night that we have had nearly 70" of snow already this winter... I am more than ready to leave!

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  18. Sorry to hear your trip has been delayed - I hope your family feel better soon!

    Happy reading!

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    1. Thanks, Jade. We are better and heading out today.

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  19. Great list of books! I've heard good things about Homecoming and I want to check it out!


    Here’s my It’s Monday! What are you Reading? Post!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog

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    1. Ronyell - Hope you get a chance to read Homegoing.

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  20. So sorry about the delay! You will love it even more once you finally get there!

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  21. Hope you are all well and able to travel soon. We are snowed in here. It's been great staying in sorting through things and cleaning up. Have a great week JoAnn.

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    1. Pat - Sometimes a few days at home (even if forced by weather) are the best!

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  22. Sorry you were delayed, and hope the weather cooperates when you are able to leave.

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    1. Nise' - We're all feeling better and are going to try to leave this morning before the next bout of winter weather.

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  23. Sorry to hear that you are not feeing well.


    We got about ten inches of snow where I live. It came on Saturday so I was able to avoid travel.

    Hopefully you will get to Florida soon. I wish that I was there myself.

    The Unwinding looks very good. However, I think that I am a little too frustrated to read something like that right now.

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    1. Brian Joseph - We didn't get quite as much snow last weekend, but it's already been a long winter. Planning to head out this morning. I know what you mean about the frustration (mine seems to be growing daily)... but the book is very interesting. I like that it tells stories of specific people to illustrate the bigger picture.

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  24. Hoping everyone feels well soon and you can make it to Florida.
    I really want to read Homegoing. I bought it recently but just haven't gotten to it.

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    1. Iliana - We're on the way to FL now... at last. I think you'll enjoy Homegoing when you get to it.

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  25. I hope you feel better.

    LaRose looks good.

    ENJOY the rest of your week.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My It's Monday, What Are You Reading

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  26. I am very much looking forward to reading The Homegoing. I am glad that you enjoyed it so.

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    1. Toady - Homegoing was such a good book... finally posted a review today.

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