Hello from Florida! It's been a wonderful, albeit chilly, week. Highlights included a book discussion at the library, a lecture on shorebird banding, and drinks with college friends I hadn't seen in decades. Friday evening we hauled our chairs and a cooler across the street to the beach for a sunset picnic. It was the perfect ending to a nearly perfect week.
Current reading//
by Anthony Trollope
I'm still plugging away at this 800+ page tome... and enjoying every sentence. It's almost eerie how much of what Trollope has to say about society still rings true today. I reached the 88% mark on my walk this morning and hope to finish within the next few days.
Book club//
by Richard Russo
Over twenty readers gathered at the local library to discuss Richard Russo's latest novel. The group was lead by a long-time member rather than a library employee this month. The leader began with a brief biography of the author, followed with a short introduction of the main characters, then posed a series of well-timed, thoughtful questions as the lively, wide-ranging discussion progressed. Impressive! The book ended up on my list of 2019 favorites and it was a hit with nearly all of the other participants, too.
Next month we will discuss The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, another 2019 favorite. I listened to the audio version narrated by Tom Hanks, but will try to get a print copy and reread before the meeting.
Up next//
I'm not quite sure what I'll pick up next, but can guarantee both my upcoming print and audio books will be short!!
Viewing//
One of the reasons I didn't get much reading done this week was that I spent a ridiculous amount of time in front of the television! In additions to the long, late hours of the Impeachment proceedings, I started (and caught up) with two Masterpiece shows - Sanditon and Howards End. Tonight I'll watch them in real time. Both books were favorites years ago... the latter is on my Classics Club list for a reread. This may be the year!
That's it for my week. How was yours? What have you been reading?
The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
It's Monday... What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.
There is something comforting about reading a classic and finding similarities to life then with life now. I'm glad to see that you are enjoying The Way We Live Now So Much. It's very similar to how I am feeling about War and Peace.
ReplyDeleteI think Richard Russo writes the perfect books for discussion. They always include ideas that are wonderful for talking about with others.
I haven't read the new Ann Patchett book yet. I hope to get to it later in the year.
I hope you have a lovely week.
Deb - I especially enjoy reading classics in the winter... not exactly winter here, but am continuing that reading tradition anyway. Safe travels this week!
DeleteA sunset picnic on the beach sounds amazing! You are doing so well on the Trollope book. I cannot seem to get into big books in the last couple of years. Anyway hope you have a great week ahead!
ReplyDeleteIliana - This Trollope book is the longest I've read in a couple of years. For a variety of reasons, I've been shying away from starting anything too chunky. Hoping to break myself of that habit this year :)
DeleteI've been really curious about Sanditon but haven't watched it yet. The Dutch House is on my TBR. I've been to Patchett's bookstore several times but somehow never actually read any of her books!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I'd love to visit Patchett's book store one day. May have to take a detour that way on a future road trip!
DeleteBeautiful photo. A sunset picnic on the beach sounds amazing. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Thanks, AJ. That picnic was definitely a highlight of the week!
DeleteYou have some amazing reads already happening and also among those lined up. Sounds like a fun week and month is ahead of you, in terms of books.
ReplyDeleteAthira - I'm looking forward to selecting a few shorter books this week, lol!
DeleteTwo such very good reads in one month. And one a tome at that. Wonderful reading.
ReplyDeleteMystica - It's been a long time since I last read an 800+ page book!
DeleteI love that your book group selects many current buzz books for discussion. Both Chances Are and the Dutch House were on my tops list as well in 2019. Our group has mostly seniors so the librarian selects books that she can easily obtain enough large print and or audio copies. Unfortunately, many of the books for discussion are ones that I have already read.
ReplyDeleteDiane - It surprised me when the library chose such current books. They tend to buy multiple copies in print, large type, and ebook format but both my friend and I used our old "home" libraries to obtain copies. This group is mostly seniors, too, and quite a few snowbirds. I enjoyed the discussion very much.
DeleteThat does sound like a wonderful week! Hope this week is just as great!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Angela :)
DeleteWow, what a week! North Florida is still very chilly so I need to head south. The noseems/midges on the shore areas bother me though (allergy) soi need to be inland. But what lovely views you have.
ReplyDeleteThat Russo book is on my list, you’ve given me so many great suggestions on books. And Tom Hanks narrated Dutch House? That sounds amazing. I like him.
Great recommendations on the Masterpiece Theatre shows too.
Tina - It's chilly again today, but I could never say that to my family up north... they'd just laugh. The noseeums are a nuisance. I use that spray on my legs/ankles when we're at the beach near sunset and it mostly works.
DeleteI ended up missing Howards End last night, but will watch it on my computer before next week's episode. Loving both shows!
I've been really curious about Chances Are because I've been up and down with Russo in the past. I'm happy to her you and your book club members liked it so much. I'm adding it to my backlist TBR. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteSusie - One thing I enjoyed about Chances Are was the mystery element... a bit of a departure for Russo, I think. It kept me turning the pages and there was plenty to discuss. I hope you like it.
DeleteYour week sounds lovely! And that beach view - I could use some color right now, that is beautiful. :) Enjoy your week. :)
ReplyDeleteErin - Yes, it was an excellent week. Hope your view changes from gray skies and mud soon... a fresh coat of snow makes everything beautiful this time of year!
DeleteWhat a fun week! The lecture on shorebird banding sounds interesting. I've enjoyed learning about the birdlife here on our coast since our move almost three years ago. I think one of my new favorite birds is the Oyster Catcher. We see them out on our rocky bluff and I love their pink legs. The library book discussion sounds great. I have that book on my TBR list and may just have to look for it today at the library even though I have a huge pile of my own books to read. The Dutch House is on our book club list for 2020 and I'll probably do a read/listen combo. I don't watch a lot of tv, but I'm binging on This Is Us and love it. My husband watched the first 4 episodes, but after that he said he was done. Too sappy for his taste. :) Enjoy the week! I'm envious of your sunsets. We've had too much rain to even see the horizon.
ReplyDeleteLes - The shorebird banding lecture was fascinating! I've been trying to learn more about the birds here... so different from what we see in NY. The water issues over the past couple of years have influenced migration patterns and banding allows scientists to see where the birds are wintering instead. The roseate spoonbills are a local favorite here... they're so beautiful!
DeleteAs much as I'm enjoying Trollope, I do look forward to finishing and moving on to something very short ;-) Hope you get a break in the rain soon... I do love the "dry season" here!
Ooo The Dutch House- I bet that would generate an interesting discussion. I was in Florida last week and the weather was crazy- 80 on Wednesday and by the time we left on Monday, down to 40- ha!
ReplyDeleteTina TBR Etc - The weather her has been a little crazy this week, too. My feet are freezing again today... need to find my socks ;-) Thanks for stopping by. I did visit your blog, but couldn't seem to leave a comment. Probably an issue on this end... I've been plagued with blogging problems lately. Sorry.
DeleteI'm not going to lie that I have zero interest in the impeachment proceedings. It's just too depressing.
ReplyDeleteBryan - Depressing is a good word for it... I seem to be a glutton for punishment lately :(
DeleteOh, yes, a sunset picnic sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI am eyeing the Richard Russo book...and hope to start reading my copy of The Dutch House soon.
Enjoy your week.
Laurel-Rain Snow - I think both the Russo book and The Dutch House are books you would enjoy... a good story with plenty to think about and discuss. Hope you get a chance to read them.
DeleteI envy your weather. Minnesota is deeply snow-covered now and will be for months yet. I wish my local library had book groups. I'd often like to talk in real life about my reading. Come see me week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - We are used to very long winters in upstate NY, too, so being here is a real treat. A steady stream of winter refugees will start visiting us in another week... I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. This is the first library book group I've belonged to and am pleasantly surprised.
DeleteVicki - Hanks does such a wonderful job narrating The Dutch House... I'm sure you'd enjoy listening to him! It was so good to catch up with old friends. We reconnected on facebook, of course.
ReplyDeleteThat's a picturesque sunset. Glad you liked the library book group. I may try one here, as I no longer have a regular book group. I'm still hoping to get to Chances Are ... this year. Thx for recommending it.
ReplyDeleteSusan - The library group was great, but they only meet 6 or 7 months a year. Might have too look around for an all-year group... or maybe even try to start one myself. I've been a fan of Richard Russo for a long time. He's never disappoints!
DeletePretty photo. It's been chilly here too. My weekly update
ReplyDeletePussreboot, thanks!
DeleteIt's been awhile since I've read a 800+ page book but I know how exciting it can be when it's a great one! 88% is awesome; you're so close.
ReplyDeleteLisa notes... I finally finished today - hooray!
DeleteA sunset picnic and book club in the same week sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great reading week
Thanks, Shelleyrae. Hope you're having a good week, too.
DeleteI have Chances Are but I am trying to find the right time to read it. Right now I am on a real reading kick and totally absorbed by page-turners, thrillers, and the like. I am worried if I switch gears my pace will drop. Soon, though.
ReplyDeleteTi - Hooray for a streak of good reading! Do whatever you need to do to keep it going. Russo will wait :)
DeleteI'm watching both of those shows and enjoying them. I'm also enjoying Vienna Blood on PBS.
ReplyDeleteDonna at Girl Who Reads
Donna - I'm not familiar with Vienna Blood, but will look into it.
DeleteYour library discussion sounds wonderful. You have me thinking I should add Trollope to my lists. The Dutch House, in my experience, was made for discussion! Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteJudy - I hope this month's discussion is just as good... not quite sure who the leader will be. My SIL just finished The Dutch House (she lives here now and will attend the book club this month) but didn't enjoy it as much as I did. I'm starting to wonder how big a role the audio played for me. She just dropped off her copy, so I can give it a quick skim to refresh my memory.
DeleteTrollope seems similar to Dickens, though a bit more readable... at least to me. Are you a Dickens fan?