Hello from cloudy southwest Florida, where we're all still healthy, staying at home and practicing social distancing as best as we can. The governor (at long last) issued a "safer at home" order a few days ago... though we haven't see too much change as our island seemed to be ahead of the curve. Our days have finally settled into more of a routine and I've been able to carve out time to relax with a book most afternoons. Limiting television news has helped, too.
Finished this week//
by Alison Weir, narrated by Rosalyn Landor
I don't read much historical fiction, but Alison Weir's Six Tudor Queens series seems to be just what I need right now. This fictionalized biography swept me away to another time and place. It portrays Anne, full of intelligence and ambition, through her early life, rise to power, and eventual downfall. The end, especially, is chronicled in excruciating detail... I could not put it down.
This was a read/listen combination for me. The audio version is just under 20 hours, so I listened on my morning walks and read the ebook (borrowed from the library) later in the day. I plan to start book three, Jane Seymour: The Haunted Queen, as soon as my library hold arrives.
by Kevin Wilson, narrated by Marin Ireland
Perfect pandemic reading! I raced through this book in just a couple of days. The novel features a set of ten-year-old twins who spontaneously combust. Yes, truly ridiculous, but I found the book utterly delightful. Read it for yourself and see. Better yet, listen. Marin Ireland won the 2020 Audie Award for best female narrator.
Tried but set aside//
by Malcolm Gladwell, narrated by the author
I listened to the first hour of this book on my walk, but it just didn't hold my interest. I've enjoyed listening to Gladwell's previous books, but this one seemed more like a podcast.
In the kitchen//
It's been several years, maybe a decade, since I regularly cooked for five people. At that time I had a large, well-stocked kitchen with double ovens and a dedicated pantry. Now I've got a tiny kitchen, one oven, one food cupboard, uncertain availability of staples, and my favorite pans, tools, and cookbooks are still in storage. While this presents a challenge, it also provides an opportunity to be creative. (We're still hoping to move into our house late next month.)
I felt like baking several days this week. A Blueberry Cornmeal Shortbread Tart from the New York Times was our favorite. If you want the recipe and can't access the link, let me know. I will copy and email to you. We also loved these Blondies from Simply Recipes, which I made with mini chocolate chips and walnuts. I used the last of my brown sugar to make them... hope I can find more at Publix this week.
The week ahead//
More of the same, I imagine. I'll leave you with a photo of a perfect tulip I found a few days ago. Hope you are all safe and healthy.
How are you holding up? What are you reading?
The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
It's Monday... What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.
It's been a strange time, hasn't it? We are cooking every night, and we've had some wonderful meals, including a Turkey Pie (had turkey frozen from last Christmas) and mashed potatoes (with cream cheese instead of milk---no milk) . The Blueberry Cornmeal Shortbread Tart sounds wonderful. I'd love it if you would send me the recipe through email at debnance at gmail dot com. I'm glad I don't have to cook for five people. It's been over ten years since I've had to cook for more than just us two.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to see how much you liked Anne Boleyn and Nothing to See Here. I wonder if either or both are available from the library as ebooks. I need to find a good fiction read.
Beautiful seashell. It's the little things now, isn't it?
Stay safe.
Deb - All the cooking is certainly keeping me busy! Challenges will mount as certain food items become scarce... that seems to be flour right now. A couple of weeks ago it was eggs. Hope you are well-stocked with both good food and good books. Nothing to See Here was really wonderful. I recommended it to my mother and sister, too.
DeleteGood to read your update, JoAnn. I'm so glad you have your daughters with you, even though the space is a big cramped. I've heard good things about Nothing to See Here. I might try it before long. Hope you guys can move into your new house next month. Have a good week, stay safe, thanks for sharing the seashell picture!
ReplyDeleteKay - The narration in Nothing to See Here is excellent. I'm not surprised she won the Audie award. There are a lot of "f bombs" etc, which made me think twice about recommending it to my mother, but the story was just wonderful. Hope you get a chance to listen.
DeleteIt's been a little challenging for us to adjust to both of us being home for three meals a day, every day! Glad you're enjoying Alison Weir's new series, I think I'm also up to the Jane Seymour book.
ReplyDeleteAngela - I'm next up on the library hold list for the Jane Seymour novel... should be able to start later this week!
DeleteNothing To See Here looks like fun...and I definitely want a piece of that tart!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week and that beach. Stay safe and well.
Laurel-Rain Snow - Nothing to See Here was a heartwarming story. Hope you get a chance to read it. Hope you're having a good week :)
DeleteI wish our governor would issue a shelter in place order. I see so many people in our neighborhood not practicing social distancing, it's frustrating. You're lucky to have such a lovely place to walk.
ReplyDeleteI loved Nothing to See Here as well.
Kathy - I'm amazed that all states do not have some version of a shelter in place enacted by now! Think I'm appreciating my walks more than ever right now. I'm wondering about reading Wilson's earlier novel, The Family Fang, but that didn't seem to get quite as many rave reviews.
DeleteI'm so glad you liked Nothing To See Here, too! I'm definitely going to try that Blondies recipe. Haven't made those in years but I used to love them.
ReplyDeleteLisa - After seeing your positive review, I was pretty sure I'd like Nothing to See Here, too. Those blondies are so quick and easy... and delicious, too. Hadn't made them in ages! Hoping the flour supply holds out. It's getting scarce!
DeleteI've had some difficulty reading, and I suspect it's the virus. Glad to hear Nothing to See Here is good pandemic reading--I'm moving up on the ebook line at the library. I just got Barn 8, which is a truly odd book, but it's really working for me, and I've been able to tear through it and will likely finish today or tomorrow. Our governor put a shelter in place order out a couple of weeks ago, with mixed results. Here in MN, we're getting some nice weather, and people have been flocking to local lakes and not distancing. Really frustrating. Even my next-door neighbors let their teen sons have some friends over this weekend for basketball on the driveway, with no distancing. So short-sighted.
ReplyDeleteAmy - Nothing to See Here ended up being such a heart-warming story... a bonus because I wasn't expecting that at all. I'll look into Barn 8. Haven't heard about that one. People on the island have been doing a pretty good job social distancing, especially after all the vacationers left and the restaurants closed. Think things may stay like this for longer than we expect :(
DeleteI would normally bake at least once a week but I haven’t been able to get flour for 6 weeks here!
ReplyDeleteStrict social distancing seems to be flattening the curve here, it’s the sensible thing to do.
Wishing you a great reading week and good health
Wishing you a great reading week and good health
Shelleyrae - I was disappointed when I wasn't able to get flour yesterday... nothing at all available. Hoping this shortage doesn't last for long. Glad the curve is beginning to flatten for you. I fear we are not there yet. Happy reading and stay healthy!
DeleteFirst, that tart looks delicious. Makes me want to do some baking!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear that Nothing to See Here was so good on audio. It sort of makes me wish I'd listened to it.
Have a great week and stay well.
Susie - Nothing to See Here was excellent on audio. The narrator ended up winning this year's Audie for female narrator. I got some groceries yesterday and was disappointed to find that there was no flour of any kind. Might have to curtail the baking until the shortage eases :( Hope you're having a good week!
DeleteSix Tudor Queens series looks very interesting! I enjoy historical fiction. The beach looks lovely. Send some sunshine to Michigan, okay? ;) Take care of you and yours!
ReplyDeleteBecki - I enjoy history but, for whatever reason, just don't seem to read much historical fiction. This series has been so enjoyable though... can't get enough of Tudor England! Hoping to begin the Jane Seymour book sometime this week. Have a good week and stay healthy!
DeleteGlad to read your updates and learn that all is well. I wasn't impressed the that Gladwell audio, parts were interesting but, much was not. I do want to try Nothing to See Here. Just finished Sea Wife; AMity Gage - pretty good and now listening to The Read Lotus; Bohjalian - different for him - think pandemic.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I was even more disappointed with the Gladwell because I'd enjoyed listening to his earlier books. This one may have improved eventually, but I find myself short on patience and attention span these days. You're brave to read or listen to anything about a pandemic now, lol!
DeleteWe finally had a sunny, warm day yesterday and it was glorious!! Our outdoor thermometer said it was 53 (in the shade), but out on the bluff it felt more like 60. I just finished Option B (Sheryl Sandberg), which I loved and now I've found a novel that is holding my interest (The Sight of You by Holly Miller). Finally! I'll have to look into getting Nothing To See Here. It hasn't appealed to me, but if the audio's a winner, I'm game. My mom gave up on the Gladwell book, but my husband read it and said it was interesting. I don't know if it really appeals to me. I'm not much of a baker, but I'm feeling inspired to make cinnamon rolls later this week. My husband is beyond thrilled! ;)
ReplyDeleteLes - Hooray for a beautiful day! I realized how spoiled we've become after having just a single cloudy day, lol. Just read your review of Option B and borrowed the audio from the library. Listened to the first chapter on my walk and am interested to continue reading about her journey. Nothing to See Here was a pleasant surprise for me... never expected to enjoy it so much. I'd been actively avoiding it for months because of the spontaneous combustion thing, but it was exactly the right book at the right time! Hope you have a similar experience. I could go for some cinnamon rolls... maybe that will be my next project (though everyone is asking for that blueberry tart again) We'll see. Have a good week!
DeleteBeing ahead of the orders is the best idea I believe. All the best and stay safe and well. I've seen Nothing to See Here around and the way you describe it makes it sound really readable.
ReplyDeleteKathryn - I'm working out a system now to try and stay at least a week ahead of the food orders... it's harder than I thought, but better than going to the store, I think.
DeleteI'm glad you and your family are keeping well. We're trying to cook more but the grocery stores keep running out of things I'd like. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - The grocery stores here are having a hard time keeping up... no flour, lentils, or tortillas this week. We'll make do with what we have and just keep reading! Hope you're having a good week so far.
DeleteWe are under a stay at home order as well. I don't think our lives will change all that much either. What drives me crazy is the people who just aren't behaving OR the ones who think they're behaving but are still getting together in groups and whatnot. Nothing to See Here looks entertaining and the blueberry cornmeal shortbread tart looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I think this would all be a lot easier (and shorter!) if everyone would just take the stay at home and social distancing guidelines seriously. At least we have plenty of books to read and I'm actually enjoying all the cooking, too... seems to be a good stress reliever!
DeleteI've heard all the good things about Nothing to See Here. I'll have to check it out. I love the seashell pic. Glad you are all together and staying safe and healthy. I've been cooking a lot for 3 people. It's a challenge but it's also been fun. I'll have to check out that link for the tart. Yum
ReplyDeleteHeather - Glad you and your family are all safe... and that you're enjoying cooking more. I suppose it just gives me something else to think about, and it's an opportunity to get creative with the ingredients I haven on hand, too. Have a good week!
DeleteGlad to know you are well and that your location started following the guidelines early. It makes a difference. Reading is saving me, as it always does. My March book list is up on the blog. Stay well! I just finished rereading Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver and last night one of my reading groups discussed it on Zoom! Glorious.
ReplyDeleteJudy - Wish my book club would have tried Zoom. I'm planning to read Unsheltered soon...have the audio downloaded from audible and found a paperback at the library books sale. Trying to decide whether to read the next Tudor Queen book or go directly to Kingsolver. We'll see...
DeleteThat tulip shell is wonderful -- would make my day finding that. I thought Marin Ireland's narration of Nothing to See Here was wonderful. It was probably my favorite audio (sleeper) of last year, so I'm glad you liked it too. Wow it was a fun & touching story. Glad to hear you are all staying well there, though cooking for five regularly would be a lot of work!
ReplyDeleteSusan - Nothing to See Here is my favorite book so far this year... exactly what I needed! Cooking for all five of us is a lot of work, but it also takes my mind off the news - a plus!
DeleteNothing to See Here keeps popping up in my list so I'll have to check it out. Sometimes, ridiculous is what you need.
ReplyDeleteIt's hilarious (though in a sad way) how everyone now has the same kind of weeks. My days are all blending into each other and I'm forgetting what has happened when.
Stay healthy!
I don't mind the extra cooking but really hate the extra dishes and cleaning! I'm not much of a baker but I'm going to have to checkout that blueberry tart. Gage loves blueberries!
ReplyDeleteStacy - I let the girls take care of the extra dishes and cleaning... such a relief for me. Ended up making that blueberry tart a second time. The recipe is definitely a keeper!
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