Another week down... and that's about all there is to say. Aside from a 7 AM trip to the grocery store (wearing a mask), I have stayed home. The number of cases and hospitalizations in Florida continues to set records. Things aren't looking good, and it's discouraging.
Finished this week//
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
If this book isn't already on you TBR list, add it now! Set in the 1950s - 1990s, the novel is about identical twin girls in a rural, southern black community who, at sixteen, run away to New Orleans. Their lives diverge when one twin chooses to live as a white woman and they lose touch. Emotional bonds, however, remain and their stories continue into the next generation. With themes of class, race, family, and identity, I could not put this book down. I'm sure it will be on my list of favorites in December.
Current reading//
The Daughters of Erietown by Connie Schultz
I can't remember where the recommendation came from (a podcast, perhaps?) but I started reading this novel yesterday and can't wait to pick it up again later today. Set in an industrial Ohio town, it begins with a daughter going off to college in 1975, then quickly jumps back to the 1950s when her parents were in high school. This morning I got notice that my hold of the audio version, narrated by Cassandra Campbell, is available. Looks like its going to be a read/listen combination!
The week ahead//
We have a moving date, at last. We'll get our things out of storage on Friday. I'll spend a couple days unpacking, organizing, and cleaning but most of the work must wait. We plan to head north early next week.
I'll post my list of midyear favorites this week, then likely disappear for a little while. Look for me again in mid-August. Take care and stay safe, friends!
How was your week? 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.
I keep on reading about Florida and my heart just breaks for all the seriously ill people there. Please stay safe--I think just hunkering down and reading is the safest way to survive this.
ReplyDeleteThe Vanishing Half sounds really good--will have to get a copy of that one.
The Daughters of Erietown also is appealing - I like the timeframes in which the stories are safe.
JaneGS - Reading is keeping me sane this week. The Daughters of Erietown is wonderful... nearing the halfway mark now. Hope you can get a copy of The Vanishing Half soon. It's excellent! I cannot believe the behavior of many people here... I'm afraid it's going to get worse before it gets better :(
DeleteI have The Vanishing Half in audio but want the print to make it a combo. Glad you will be moving in your new place soon. Safe travels back north.
ReplyDeleteDiane - My daughter said the audio was excellent... kind of wish I'd made it a combo, too.
DeleteWhen you say you are moving north, where do you mean? I hope all your packing and shifting around ends up with a positive result! My Sunday Salon is chalked full of good news and funnies!
ReplyDeleteAnne - My family is in central NY and we haven't seen them since Thanksgiving. We'll stay with my sister and get tested, then go to my parents' once we have negative results. After that, we've rented a place on the CT coast from early August until late September. Life is anything but simple at the moment...
DeleteI'm glad you have a chance to leave Florida for a while...and that your new home will be waiting for you when you go back. Have a safe trip!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Audrey. Haven't seen most of my family since Thanksgiving, so am looking forward to spending time with them. Always love my time on the CT coast, so that will be our second stop.
DeleteI think I need to read The Vanishing Half. It’s been everywhere lately. Good luck with the move. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Aj - Yes, you definitely need to read The Vanishing Half! Such a good book.
DeleteI'm so happy you are about to move into your new place! Finally, right?! It will be good for you guys to get out of Florida, too. Dang, what a mess this country is in. I keep hoping things will start getting better, but they only seem to be getting worse. I've got to stop reading the news. I'm sure someone will tell me when there's something good happening out there, right? Good luck with the move and safe travels north. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteLes - It's been a long haul. They say you should always allow twice as much time as you plan for a renovation... we definitely hit that mark! As for the news lately, it's hard to maintain any kind of positive attitude lately but we sure are trying. Looking forward to spending some time with my family and then a stay on CT coast. We'll be back in touch soon.. take care!
DeleteI hope you are safely able to enjoy your Vacation.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great reading week
Thanks, Shelleyrae. I'm most concerned about the travel days, but am sure we will be fine with family and then in the rental house.
DeleteGood luck with the move!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Angela!
DeleteStay safe in your travels. As soon as we get our RV back from maintenance we may try a trip. Just pack a lot of food and find a campground in cooler climate. The heat has been brutal up here at this end of Florida.
ReplyDeleteGlad the books have been enjoyable. I've read some light fiction lately so I can armchair travel to Ireland.
I'm excited for you about your house! Finally! It will be so nice to get into your new place and I'd love to see your new Kitchen. That's the first room I go to when looking at a house.
Tina - Thanks! Hope you guys can get a little reprieve from the heat and humidity, too. I'm very happy with the way the kitchen has turned out... will post some pictures when the finishing touches are in. Now that I'll have some extra space, that temptation for more small appliances will be back. InstaPot, air fryer, rice cooker... lol!
DeleteI loved Vanishing Half too. I have Erietown on my list, but haven't gotten to it yet. Save moving and safe travels. So exciting to organize a new house.
ReplyDeleteBeth F - I'm halfway through Erietown now and loving the read/listen combo. The story and Cassandra Campbell's narration are excellent!
DeleteSounds like you have a busy time ahead. See you again in August. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy. See you soon :)
DeleteGlad you enjoyed The Vanishing Half. I've got it on my Kindle and will get to it before long I hope. Also glad you guys are about through with your remodel and will be able to get stuff moved in before you head north. Take such good care and enjoy your time in NY and CT. Florida will be waiting for you when you get back. Like Les, I really need to cut back on news reading. I think I'll try to just check early in the morning and then be done with it for the day. That used to be my way of keeping up - way, way back in the days before this icky virus - can hardly remember...ha! We'll see you in a few weeks, JoAnn.
ReplyDeleteKay - Yes, too much news seems to be my downfall lately. Things are changing so fast, it seems like if you step away for a few hours you miss a lot. Still, a small dose morning and evening is probably better. Hope you enjoy The Vanishing Half, too. See you next month... take care, Kay!
DeleteI am late to the table for Vanishing Half, it seems, as there are already 27 people ahead of me at the library. Thanks for your review. I'm glad I was at least able to get in line.
ReplyDeleteI feel sad about Florida. Your Florida is in the same boat as my Texas; we both seem to be architects of our own downfall. Very frustrating here.
We will miss you while you are off-blog.
Deb - Glad you're on the list for The Vanishing Half. It's definitely worth the read! I'm happy to see Texas has taken some steps in the right direction to slow the virus spread. Very frustrating that Florida seems to be ignoring opportunities to do the same.
DeleteFlorida's numbers hit an all time high. A lot of people think herd immunity is the way to go but I guess they aren't reading the scientific articles about how the antibodies only last for two months or so. Can't achieve herd immunity when there doesn't appear to be any immunity at all.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia is not as bad but the numbers rise daily. I suspect we will be shut down again soon. Schools are expected to start here 8/11 and we still don't have a final plan on how that will work. It's all so depressing.
Ti - It really is depressing. At least CA is taking steps to slow the spread. I'm appalled at Florida's total inaction. It looks like schools are still planning to open here, though a few counties have delayed the start. We're in for tough times ahead, I'm afraid.
DeleteI have The Vanishing Half on hold at the library, but it's not moving up the line very quickly. Seeing so many great reviews of the book is starting to get me a bit impatient.
ReplyDeleteFlorida and Texas seem to be in the same boat regarding the virus. We are having around 10,000 new cases a day lately, and the actual hospitalization and death rates are both on the rise. It's scary for those of us of a certain age (I'm 72), that's for sure.
Sam - I have a feeling you'll enjoy The Vanishing Half when you get to the top of that list! I read Passing by Nella Larsen shortly before...made for an interesting pairing.
DeleteThe numbers and statistics are discouraging, especially to those of us 60 and over. I'm not at all confident our governor will step up and act, but continue to hope...
I can't wait to read The Vanishing Half. Good luck with your move and all that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judy. Will look forward to your thoughts on The Vanishing Half.
DeleteI have started The Vanishing Half and I'm liking it ... will see where it goes. I hope you have a good trip north .... i will also be "vanishing" next week .... flying to Los Angeles gulp ... with mask & wipes in hand. will Quarantine for awhile first before checking in with my folks. Good luck with your move there!
ReplyDeleteSusan - Hope The Vanishing Half continues to be a winner for you. Our plan is to get tested (fingers crossed) as soon as we get to NY. We'll stay with my sister until results are available, then we'll go to my parents. Good luck with your travels!
DeleteAh, the more I hear about The Vanishing Half, the more I really want to read it. Ha! It sounds like you're having a good time in the world of books at the moment... If if the outside world is still so uncertain.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your mid year favourites, and wish you well with all the upcoming plans.
Jade - My daughter, mother, and two sisters all loved The Vanishing Half, too. That book seems to be a winner with just about everyone... hope you get a chance to read it soon.
DeleteGood luck with your move!! I love Connie Schultz, she's an award winning writer married to our Senator. They're local. We say them out at the movies last year:) Follow her on Facebook if you're on there.
ReplyDeleteStacy - I absolutely loved The Daughters of Erietown, but that was the first I'd heard of Connie Schultz. How cool that they're local. I followed her on twitter, but will check her out on FB, too. Thanks!
DeleteReally want to read The Vanishing Half. I keep hearing such great things about it. Wishing you the best on your move!
ReplyDeleteIliana - Thanks! We got our things out of storage then started north a few days later. Plenty of unpacking is waiting for us when we return!
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