Sunday, August 21, 2022

The Sunday Salon: August 21, 2022

 


Hello, friends, and happy Sunday. After a long weekend away, I'm back with another weekly update. It's still unusually warm and dry here in Connecticut, but it feels like summer may be loosening its grip. We've had a few gloriously cool mornings, the angle of the sunlight is changing, and the sun is setting earlier. I love fall and hope it's not too far away...

Last weekend we were in northern NY and Vermont for my father-in-law's memorial service. He died in January, but this was the first time the entire family could come together.  It also marked the tenth anniversary of my mother-in-law's death. As expected, our time together was bittersweet and filled with emotion... plus it was the first time all the grandchildren were together in the same place! That gave everyone the opportunity to meet the younger generation's significant others. Overall, a very memorable weekend.

During that time I didn't read for six straight days (which might be a record) but still managed to finish a couple of books since the last update...



Recent Reading//


Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow
audio edition narrated by  Karen Murray, Adenrele Ojo

After seeing this book praised on a several blogs, I added it to my list of summer reading possibilities. Then my mother read it, loved  it, and told me I needed to read it right away... and who am I to argue with Mom?

This beautifully-written debut novel follows three generations of a Southern Black family from the WWII era into the 21st century. Wandering back and forth in time, it covers all the tough issues, including race, you'd expect with a family drama. I loved how it showcases the strength of the Black women, who were primarily responsible for holding their families together. 

This was a read/listen combination for me. The audio is particularly well done... highly recommended. I'm already looking forward to Stringfellow's next novel. 






Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
audio edition narrated by Marin Ireland, Michael Urie

A novel tracing a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.

 I loved this book! I expected to like it, but did not expect it to become one of my favorite novels of the year. The story focuses on three main characters... a 70-year-old widow, a 30-year-old man trying to find his way in the word, and a giant Pacific octopus. The way these three come together is heart-warming and life-affirming. I won't say too much more about the story but, as soon as I turned the final page, I ordered a copy for my mother.

This started as a read/listen combination, but the audio was SO good that I switched to listening exclusively. Marin Ireland is a favorite narrator and I absolutely loved  the voice of the octopus! I'm going to follow up with the nonfiction The Soul of an Octopus soon.






Current Reading//


Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark

This library hold came in a couple of days ago. It's a long book (592 pages) and my plan was to preview it, but I'm 14% in and still reading. It's the story of two 80-year-women, lifelong friends, and a beloved summer enclave in Maine. 


I'll start another book on audio tomorrow, too... perhaps The Soul of an Octopus.



On the blog//




In the kitchen//

I've been trying to cook a little more the past couple of weeks. I've made Turkey Chili Taco Soup from skinnytaste,  a Blackberry Peach Galette from Half-Baked Harvest, Basil Pesto Chicken Caprese from Vinkalinka, and I finally tried the Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Cutlets recipe that Tina shared several weeks ago. That touch of Dijon mustard adds a really nice flavor boost!




The week ahead//

I have a feeling this week is going to fly. We have a couple of appointments for our daughter, more catching up to do at home after traveling, and a visit from Daughter #1 and her boyfriend coming up on Thursday. 

Plus, the chair we ordered back in early April will finally be delivered on Friday. I can't wait! After that, we're just waiting on the coffee table. Definite progress... slowly, but surely.


How was your week? 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.




42 comments:

  1. It's nice to have family get togethers, even if for a sad event or memorial.
    It's getting cooler in Ohio too, and the leaves are beginning to turn yellow and red. Don't know if I like summer ending or not!

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    1. Harvee - When we were in VT last weekend, the leaves were starting to change! The changing leaves here are mostly due to stress/dryness I'm afraid.

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  2. I just got a notice that my Remarkably Bright Creatures book is due back at the library soon. Sigh. I think I'll reserve an audio version since you enjoyed it so much.

    And I've added Fellowship Point to my list to request, too.

    It seems like I have been trying to avoid the kitchen during this hot weather. I really need to get back in the kitchen today. I have been missing cooking, but it's so warm.

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    1. Deb - My mother got her copy of Remarkably Bright Creatures earlier today has ha already read the first hundred pages... she loves the octopus, too! Audio is definitely the way to go if you can swing it.

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  3. Sounds like a lot of fun things coming up! Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, Cindy. I'm really looking forward to my daughter's visit!

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  4. How nice to have the weather change! I love fall as well! I’m so glad your family was able to have this important time together! Memphis sounds like a great read! Remarkably Bright Creatures and Fellowship Point are now on my TBR….it’s so long now!

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    1. Miaismine - Last year we were in a hurry to get back to FL to help care for my FIL, so it will be nice to stay up here and enjoy the season this year. My TBR is out of control, too! I'll be thinking of you this week... take care.

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  5. I’ve heard wonderful things about both Memphis and Remarkably Bright creatures! I’m glad you got your chair! Last September we ordered a sectional and didn’t receive it until March - I almost forgot what I had ordered 🤣. The recipes all look good! Have a wonderful week ahead!

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    1. thathappyreader - Those books appeal to different moods/tastes, but they are both well worth reading! So excited to get the chair on Friday... I almost don't remember what the fabric looked like, lol!

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  6. So sorry about the loss, but the memorial sounded good. Getting together with family is always bittersweet.

    Your books look tempting. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - It was so good to finally get the entire family together in one place. I know our girls enjoyed spending time with their cousins and meeting their girlfriends... and introducing their boyfriends to the family, too!

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  7. We're almost to the end of summer and it's finally feeling warm here! We just finished washing the RV and the sun is shining and it's too hot for jeans and a flannel shirt. :)

    Your "memorial" weekend sounds bittersweet. So nice to get family together, but the loss of a loved one is never easy. We said honored my uncle earlier this month and it was very moving (he was an officer in the Marines, so lots of special moments for that), so I sympathize. Like you, I hardly read a thing the entire time we were in Santa Rosa.

    I'll have to check out Memphis, especially with your mom's endorsement. :) I have Remarkably Bright Creatures ready to go once I finish listening to The Four Winds. Can't wait to start it!! Fellowship Point sounds promising, too.

    Mmmm, that basil pesto chicken caprese sounds delish! Off to get the recipe printed out...

    Have a great week, JoAnn. Mine is going to fly, too. Lots to do before our next trip!

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    1. Les - It's hard to believe the summer is winding down. It seems like we just got here, but looking back, we've accomplished a lot getting this place set up.

      The weekend was tough, especially for my husband... so many memories! But we also had such a good time just being all together. I haven't spent that much time in VT since his great aunt passed away ten plus years ago. I'm glad we decided to stay in an inn over there... not many choices on the NY side.

      I hope you love Remarkably Bright Creatures, too. The audio was excellent! I feel a deep dive into octopuses is in my immediate future... had no idea they were so smart. Memphis was a very good read, too, and I think that author has a bright career ahead of her.

      When do you head out again? Seems like you just wrapped up your last trip. So much fun to be out on the road... enjoy!

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  8. I am going to find the audio of Remarkably Bright Creatures right now. Have you seen the documentary My Teacher the Octopus (or a title similar to that)? You might like it.

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    1. Helen - I have not seen My Octopus Teacher, but it's been in my Netflix queue forever. Thanks for reminding me... I'm going to watch it tonight!

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  9. I certainly sounds like your time in Vermont, although bittersweet was so special - having everyone together to remember those who passed.

    I loved Remarkably Bright Creature and pretty sure it will make my top 10 for 2022. I had the eBook but may try the audio as well at some point as I liked it that much. Fellowship Point will be on my September list. Enjoy the week.

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    1. Diane - If you ever decide to reread Remarkably Bright Creatures, I think you'd love the audio! My "preview" of Fellowship Point continues... guess I'm going to read it instead. ;-)

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  10. I'm glad you had a chance to spend time with the family even if it was for a bittersweet reason. Hope you have a great week!

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    1. Yvonne - Spending all that time with my husband's family was so much fun! His brother's family lives so far away that we only see them once a year. It's been several years since my daughters saw their cousins.

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  11. So glad to hear you had such a special time with your family. I'm looking forward to fall too! All the books you mention sound so good. One of my best friends loves Maine and I'll have to tell her about Fellowship Point. It's going on my TBR and she'll probably add it to hers! Hope you have a great week ahead!

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    1. Iliana - I'll reach for a book set in Maine every time! Another on one my list, and I suspect it's a bit lighter, is Vacationland.

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  12. Adding Remarkably Bright Creatures to my reading list. It sounds like a obok I'd love. I have the other Octopus book you mentioned on my TBR also for a future boo club selection. I am glad you had a good family reunion even if it was for a sad event.

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    1. Anne - Remarkably Bright Creatures is such a great read and I think you'd love it, too. Last night I watched The Octopus Teacher on Netflix (which Helen mentioned above) and I just got a copy of the nonfiction book from the library. I'm on a roll the octopus!

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  13. I have a copy of the Julian Barnes book that I bought years ago. I don't think I liked the book as well as I like his fiction.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. Mae - I'm a fan of Barnes' fiction, too, but loved the glimpse into this part of his private life.

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  14. It is nice to have family get-togethers even if the reason is a sad one. Families are so busy today that it is hard. Your books, while not my usual choices, do sound really good. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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    1. Kathy - I completely agree about family get-togethers. It seems like they get even harder to coordinate now that the 'kids' are all adults! Seems like I've had a streak of good books lately... hope that continues!

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  15. I'm sorry your family had to gather for such a sad occasion but I'm glad that you were able to see everyone and share memories.

    All of your books sound so good! I like both Adenrele Ojo and Marin Ireland as narrators so I'll look for those in particular.

    Enjoy your week!

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    1. Jen - Despite the circumstances, it was a very memorable and enjoyable gathering. As for the audiobooks, this was the first time I've heard Adenrele Ojo, but Mari Ireland is a favorite. Both books were excellent on audio and I highly recommend choosing to listen.

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  16. I have both the Soul of the Octopus and Remarkably Bright Creatures on my TBR list already - I am glad to hear that you loved Remarkably Bright Creatures! Your other book, Fellowship Point looks really good too!

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    1. Erin - My mother just finished Remarkably Bright Creatures and loved it, too. I've read about a quarter of Fellowship Point and am enjoying it. The Maine setting gets me every time!

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  17. The only good thing about a memorial service is catching up with family. It's definitely a bittersweet time though. I'm so curious about Remarkably Bright Creatures. I hope you have had a wonderful week.

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    1. Katherine - You're so right about memorial services! I think Remarkably Bright Creatures is a book you'd enjoy. My mother read it earleier this week and she loved it, too.

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  18. Thanks for the shoutout for the Parmesan cutlets :-) I can imagine that was a bittersweet time getting together for the memorial but it must have been wonderful to see so much family together.

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    1. Tina - Despite the reason for the gathering, we have many fond memories from that weekend. I think it was the first time the entire family has been in the same place at the same time!

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  19. I just put myself on the waitlist for the Remarkably Bright Creatures audio! When we were in Michigan last week we finally spread Jason's mom's ashes and it's been 4 years, but we didn't have the family presence you did. How wonderful to have all of the 'kids' together.

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    1. Stacy - Audio is definitely the way to go with Remarkably Bright Creatures... it was excellent!

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  20. I'm on the wait list for Memphis and will try for the audio. And I'm curious about the premise of Fellowship Point although it seems a bit long. Hope you like it .... and things are settling down. Sympathies about the memorial.

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    1. Susan - The audio added to my overall enjoyment with Memphis... so well done. Fellowship Point is mostly a story of a life-long female friendship, but also a multi-generational family tale. Set mostly in Maine, but partly in Philadelphia, it features natural/environmental elements, authors/agents/literary aspects, and more. It is long, but I haven't grown tired of or impatient with it... 80% through now.

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  21. I'm putting Remarkably Bright Creatures on my list. I stopped eating octopus some time ago.

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    1. Harvee - I hope you enjoy it, too. It'll definitely be on my list of favorites this year.

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