Hello, friends. It's a beautiful Sunday morning on the Connecticut coast. We were finally at home for an entire week and it was glorious! I went for a walk every morning, got caught up on chores around the house, cooked dinners that were actually planned ahead of time, and managed to finish three books.
Also this week we took a short drive up the coast to the Watch Hill area of Westerly, RI... which was gorgeous. From there we continued on to an oyster bar further up the coast for a late lunch. It was a perfect early fall day!
Recent reading//
What You Are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
This was a delightful book. I'll have a review soon.
When Ghosts Come Home by Wiley Cash
This is the October selection of the MMD book club and there will be a live chat with the author later this month. I liked this book and rated it 3.5 stars.
by Henry Hoke, narrated by Pete Cross
This was one unusual audiobook! It's just under 2 hours long, available for immediate download via hoopla, and I really enjoyed it.
Current reading//
The Road to Dalton by Shannon Dalton
I purchased this book over the summer, finally sat down to read it last night, and love it already! Told from a variety of perspectives, it's about life and the people inhabiting a small town in "The County" - Aroostook County, Maine's northernmost reaches. There's even a blurb from Richard Russo on the cover, which seems a like a perfect fit to me.
by Sandra Cisneros, narrated by the author
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I started listening to this short classic on my walk this morning. The author's note at the beginning perfectly framed the novel for me, and her narration is great.
The week ahead//
This week I need to catch up on book reviews! In addition to the three books I finished last week, I still want to share my thoughts on The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.
We are also driving back up to central New York later this week. Besides spending time my parents, I need to get my hair cut and highlighted one last time before the wedding at the end of the month. It'll be here before we know it!
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 really enjoyed the book by Michiko Aoyama, just finished it yesterday. Looking forward to the Road to Dalton as well.
ReplyDeleteSo much going on and the wedding will be here before you know it!
Tina - I'm glad you enjoyed that book, too! Will be taking my copy up this weekend for my mother to read... The Road to Dalton, too, assuming I finish before then. I think she'll enjoy both of them. Your trip to visit your son must be coming up soon, too, right?
DeleteWe head to Nebraska this coming Thursday, I am SO excited! Haven't seen them in two years. Our granddaughter is nine now, so many changes.
DeleteTina - Safe travels and have a wonderful trip... so exciting to see them again after so long!!
DeleteTina, I hope you have a fabulous time in Nebraska. It's always so beautiful there this time of year!
DeleteCool book list!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mae!
DeleteOur book club enjoyed The House on Mango Street several years ago. I didn't know there was an audiobook version read by the author. That sounds terrific.
ReplyDeleteJoy - The book was first published in 1984 and the author-narrated audio is from 2005. So good!
DeleteA week at home is probably just what you needed; time to settle in, read, and get things done.
ReplyDeleteThe House on Mango Street is excellent. I hope you like it once you've finished listening.
Helen - The week at home was so, so good... it's been a while! ANd I'm really enjoying The House on Mango Street so far. Not sure why it's taken so long to finally pick it up.
DeleteHi JoAnn, I'm sure it felt good to have a little unplanned time in CT, and time to read as well. Watch Hill and Newport are fun places - my son and family just spent a few days there as well.
ReplyDeleteI recall reading The House on Mango Street years ago and thought it was good. Have a good week.
Hi, Diane. We have been traveling almost every weekend the last couple months, so last week was the best! After I got caught up, it was so much fun to spend a day exploring Watch Hill! We went to the Matunuck Oyster Bar for a late lunch and it was fantastic... hope to return soon. My niece is in Providence now doing her residency at Brown, so I'm hoping to spend time there, too. Everything is so close in New England! The House on Mango Street is a book I've been meaning to read for years and the audio read by the author is really good.
DeleteThe House on Mango Street was a class read when my sons were in junior high, and I read it because they were reading it...We all loved it. I recommend it all the time to people today.
ReplyDeleteAnd What You Are Looking for is in the Library just came in for me at the library. You have motivated me to pick it up today, I think.
Deb - I can't believe I've never read The House on Mango Street before now. It really is a classic. Hope you enjoy What You Are Looking for is in the Library, too!
DeleteSounds like a wonderful, relaxing week, JoAnn. Probably just what the doctor ordered about now, considering everything that's coming up soon. I've read a couple of Wiley Cash novels and remember liking both of them, but I didn't know about that one. I'll have to take a look. I'm curious to hear what you think of this bunch of books, so I'll look forward to your reviews. Hope you have another nice week.
ReplyDeleteSam - I haven't had a week like that in far too long! That Wiley Cash novel is from 2021, and I'd probably classify it as a literary mystery. Really enjoyed his writing. Now to get to all those reviews...
DeleteNice looking books. Time at home is always good. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - I really appreciated having a whole week at home and no appointments... what a treat!
DeleteLooks like some interesting books on your list. I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yvonne.
DeleteI am finishing up, "Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine" by Gail Honeyman. It is a touching and beautifully written novel that explores themes of loneliness, trauma, and the power of human connection. The story's quirky and complex protagonist, Eleanor Oliphant, is both endearing and relatable. As readers follow her journey, they will find themselves immersed in her world and rooting for her personal growth and happiness. The novel combines humor, heartache, and hope in a compelling narrative that keeps you engaged until the very end. Overall, it's a highly recommended read for those who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth.
ReplyDeleteLiterary Percolations - Eleanor Oliphant was one of my favorite reads back in 2018. Your comment makes me want to pick it up again for a reread!
DeleteI loved What You Are Looking For is in the Library! It looks like you have a lovely view and it is so nice to be home for an extended time. Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - What You Are Looking For is in the Library is one of those books that improves the more I think about it! We're going to visit my parents this weekend and I'll bring it along so my mother can read it, too.
DeleteYour week home sounds wonderful. The drive to Rhode Island sounds fun. I saw a copy of What You Are Looking for is in the Library at the bookstore the other day and was so tempted to buy a copy. I am glad you found it delightful. Safe travels to New York and have a great week!
ReplyDeleteWendy - It's been far too long since we've had an entire week at home, so this was just perfect! What You Are Looking for is in the Library was a real delight, and I like it more and more as I continue to think about it.
DeleteThat week at home in Connecticut sounds amazing and I love that sunset (sunrise?) picture. So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteJinjer - That was a sunrise. Now that it's rising closer to 7 AM, I see them more frequently! ;-)
DeleteAh, another photograph that looks very similar to the cover art for Fellowship Point! I love it.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet you are (were?) happy to be home relaxing and catching up in your own space. When we get back from our road trip (next Tuesday!), I hope to spend the coming months playing tourist in our area now that the real tourists have gone home (for the most part). We avoid restaurants and shops during the summer months because they're just too crowded and noisy.
I'll probably listen to the Wiley Cash book since I've enjoyed his previous novels on audio. There's just something wonderful about hearing those southern voices...
Judging a book by its cover, The Road to Dalton looks like a delightful read. I wonder if it's one my mom would enjoy.
Have a good trip back up to NY, and thanks for the reminder. I desperately need to get my hair trimmed!
Les - Yes, I spot the resemblance of that photo to Fellowship Point's cover! It was so good to be home after all the travel, but now we're in NY with my parents for a long weekend... just got my pre-wedding haircut this morning.
ReplyDeleteWe like to avoid the most touristy places during the height of the season, too. Unfortunately for Sanibel, there was no season last winter after the hurricane and it sounds like most of the hotels and rental condos will not be ready this year either. I love that the island is quieter, but many open businesses are struggling and even more say they will not reopen until tourists return. A sad situation.
I think The Road to Dalton has flown under the radar, but it's really a wonderful novel. From what I know of your mom's reading taste, I think it would be a good fit. My copy is is my mother's stack now!
Enjoy the last few days of your road trip. The photos have been amazing.
The House on Mango Street seems like a good listen. I'll look for it. I'm trying to recall if I read the author back in the 90s? Hope you had a good upstate NY visit.
ReplyDeleteSusan - Welcome home! Will stop by your blog soon to see how the trip went. The House on Mango Street was a good listen. I thought I'd read Cisneros before, but this was completely new to me...
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