Happy Mother's Day from Sanibel! The sun is shining and it's already a warm, muggy day. There's a nice breeze, but I'm going to wait until sunset to go out for my walk. It's been a good week here... highlights include a visit to the Chihuly Collection in St. Petersburg, finding early morning turtle tracks on the beach (it's sea turtle nesting season) and finishing two books.
Recent reading//
Cape May by Chip Creek
This debut novel "explores the social and sexual mores of 1950s America through the eyes of a newly married couple from the genteel south corrupted by sophisticated New England urbanites." I found it very readable, but with a few problems. Look for a review later this week.
by Beth Macy, narrated by the author
This book provides an overview of of the country's opioid epidemic. Once you start reading (or listening, in my case) it's almost impossible to look away. Macy explains how and why this all began in central Appalachia. She tells stories of many victims and their families. And she introduces us to those trying to help.
Dopesick brought tears to my eyes, yet made me angry at the same time. It shows how addiction can happen to virtually anyone and how it effects all of us. There is not a consensus on the best treatment methods, and even combating the crisis has become a political minefield. Is this a law enforcement issue or a public health crisis? I highly recommend this important book.
My rating:
Current reading//
I'll finish this within the next day or two. My main thought at this point is how Barr's early spin on the report was unconscionable. His "summary" was a gross misrepresentation of Mueller's findings... and the American people now need to hear from Robert Mueller himself.
by Sally Rooney, narrated by Aoife McMahon
This is a wonderful novel and the audio production is excellent, too. It's on track to be a favorite of the year... should I add Sally Rooney's first novel, Conversations with Friends, to my list now?
On the blog//
Book Brief: The Past by Tessa Hadley
In the kitchen//
I tried one new recipe this week. Baked Sticky Apricot Salmon from Simply Delicious was exactly the quick and easy recipe I was looking for, but it turned out to be a little too sweet for my taste. The recipe calls for apricot jam/preserves, but I'd recommend a no-sugar-added fruit spread instead.
Last night I made an old favorite - Trish's Molasses Glazed Chicken Thighs. She posted this on her blog years ago (remember her Pin It and Do It Challenges?) and I still make it once or twice a year.
The week ahead//
With just two weeks left here, there is still a lot to do. My three main projects include a thorough spring cleaning, more cooking to stock my FIL's freezer, and, of course, packing. We're having dinner with friends one night, and are wondering if we can fit in an overnight to Key West before heading north...
How was your week? What are you reading?
The Sunday Salon is now hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
Happy Mother's Day! You are the first person I know to actually read the Mueller report, and I've been avidly following your reports on it.
ReplyDeleteLisa - I don't know anyone else reading The Mueller Report either. Ended up finishing last night and have looked through the Appendix today... one contains the president's responses to Mueller's written question. No wonder M considered them "inadequate", lol! My husband was thinking about reading it, but feels like living through my experience was enough. ;-)
DeleteHappy Mother’s Day :) I’ve seen mixed reviews about Cape May. I’ve decided to pass on it.
ReplyDeleteHave a great reading week in between all those talks you have listed for yourself.
Shelleyrae - I don't think passing on Cape May would be a mistake...
DeleteThe Mueller Report sounds fascinating, but like a real slog. I think I'd get too angry if I read it. Is it 2020 yet? I have heard great things about Dope Sick; the opioid epidemic is so tragic and seems like it could have been avoided.
ReplyDeleteHelen - "Is it 2020 yet? " LOL, exactly! I'll just say that my husband is glad I finally finished reading The Mueller Report... it may have had a negative effect on my disposition! Dopesick is well worth a read though.
DeleteYour thoughts on books so often agree with mine. I have Normal People here and I hope to read Dopesick, even though I am sure that it will be a difficult read. I thank you for sharing your thoughts about the Mueller Report. The Mueller Report is very disheartening (as if my heart could sink any lower).
ReplyDeleteThose flowers are gorgeous. Beautiful!
Have a great week!
Deb - Disheartening is a good word for the Mueller Report. I finished yesterday and am glad I read it, but also glad to be done with it. Normal People is excellent!
Deletehttps://stillanunfinishedperson.blog
ReplyDeleteI keep hearing about Dopesick and probably is one I should read, based on where I live (yeah, America). I keep hearing about The Mueller Report too, but until it comes out in its unredacted or at least mostly unredacted form, I have no interest in reading it. Plus I think I already know that Barr, appointed by The Man himself, grossly misrepresented the facts. It's almost like, and probably is true, that T has his own dossier on all of these people that's holding over them as blackmail.
My week? Pretty good overall. Still reading All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot, which I might finish today or at the latest tomorrow.
Bryan - I saw a statistic that about 90% of the report was released, but there are a lot of questions about the redacted 10%... I finally finished and am glad to be done with it. What a mess!
DeleteHappy Mother's Day! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the books you're reading. I am curious about The Mueller Report. Hope you have a wonderful week ahead!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Iliana... it was such a nice Mother's Day. The best part was finally finishing The Mueller Report... glad that's behind me!
DeleteLoved Trish's Pin It / Do It challenges too. Okay, I'll add Normal People to my list. And Mr. BFR is now reading the report.
ReplyDeleteBeth F - The audio version of Normal People is really well done. It also saved me from fretting over the lack of quotation marks in print! Is Mr. BFR getting as upset over the report as I was?
DeleteHappy Mother's Day! Looking forward to your Cape May review!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Angela. I wrote the review today and will edit tomorrow.
DeleteYour week sounded lovely...especially finding those turtle tracks. We are just trying to fight a mild depression from all the rain. Den is sadly watching our back yard float into the pond!
ReplyDeletePatty - It is still raining in NY, too. My brother was driving to MA yesterday and sent me a photo of snow along the Mass Pike in the Berkshires! He says for us to stay put a little longer. Sure hope you dry out soon!
DeleteDopesick and The Mueller Report sound like must-reading. I agree with your conclusions about Barr and I haven't even read this book. Maybe I'll wait until I feel better!
ReplyDeleteLaurel-Rain Snow - I'd avoid the Mueller Report for a while... it might have a negative effect on your recovery! Dopesick may not be the best choice right now either. Hope you're feeling better soon.
DeleteI enjoyed those turtle photos on Instagram. Well, you have some interesting reading here this post! As you may have read on my review, I thought Henry was the worst husband ever. Not a fan of that one. The opioid crisis is indeed a sad thing. The department where I work puts out an annual drug report that's very detailed. The pill mill industry in Florida was appalling.
ReplyDeleteLove that salmon, I need to try that one sometime.
I finished Stone Mothers and A Lily in the Light and enjoyed those very much. they were dramatic so now I am reading a light, girlie type book :-)
Tina - I totally agree with you on Henry... he's the worst! I kept reading the book, but definitely didn't love it. After Dopesick and the Mueller Report, I'm looking for something light to read, too. Hope we both find something fun:)
DeleteIt seems you had a bit of everything in your week. Thanks for the update.
ReplyDeleteJudy - There was a lot going on last week, but I think this week will be a little quieter.
DeleteI just finished Normal People as well, and I keep thinking about it and in the process I've been changing my opinion somewhat from my initial "meh" feeling.
ReplyDeleteI made apricot salmon one time (probably not the same recipe) but, I also thought it was a bit too sweet.
Enjoy the week.
Diane - I finished Normal People and thought it was excellent! Did you read or listen?
DeleteI'm on the wait list for the Rooney book and Dopesick sounds pretty terrifying and sad as well. I wonder if I'm chicken to read it. I hope Bob Mueller will speak up pronto ....
ReplyDeleteSusan - Rooney's book was excellent... think you're going to like it!
DeleteLots of good books here. Also, that salmon. Looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteI need to get through the next few weeks before things slow down for me. All the end of the year stuff is weighing heavily on me. I just want to read and sip tea. Why can't I do that?
Ti - The end-of-the-school year frenzy was always tough for me, too. Seemed like everything needed to happen in the last few weeks. Thankfully we all survived, but it was always such a relief when it was over. Hope you'll get that reading and tea time soon :)
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