An Update at Last, and Another Visit to NYC!

Hello, friends. I haven't checked in since the beginning of the month... and let's just say it's been a wild ride. It took me several days to recover from the election, we spent most of the following week in NYC, and then my latest Covid booster knocked me down for a day or so last weekend. During most of that time, I just couldn't read anything.

First, about NYC.

We were there to celebrate my husband's birthday, but I also enjoyed a couple of book-adjacent outings. My daughter and I visited the Morgan Library and Museum to see the Belle da Costa Greene exhibition. We'd both read The Personal Librarian  by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray and and then I continued with  Belle Greene  by Alexandra Lapierre. With that kind of prep, we were primed for the exhibit and it did not disappoint!

Our other book-related outing was catching the revival of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" at the Barrymore Theater. I'd somehow missed seeing or reading this play until last year, when I learned that it figured prominently in Ann Patchett's latest novel Tom Lake. I decided to read the play before diving into the novel and appreciated having that foundation. Reading the play was just okay, but seeing it on stage was a completely different experience, especially given the caliber of the actors. I loved it! I think the entire audience was in tears by the end. If you have an opportunity to see the show, go for it!

Now, about the reading... 

During the first half of the month, my reading was completely stalled. Finally last week I finished a short travel memoir that I'd been meaning to read for years, and then picked up a January book club selection which turned out to be much better than expected. Now I'm on to a French novel in translation that seems to be right up my alley. Things have turned around at last!

Recent Reading//

The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff

I've lost count of the number of times I've read, or listened to, 84, Charing Cross Road over the years, but it's been a favorite for decades. It chronicles twenty years of correspondence between Helene Hanff, a writer living in New York City, and a used-book dealer in London. Initially their letters are solely about books, but eventually a warm friendship also develops. 

Following the 1970 publication of 84, Charing Cross Road, Hanff finally gets her chance to visit London and The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street (published in 1973) is the resulting travel memoir. I never got around to reading this little gem until now... and it was wonderful!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Weyward by Emilia Hart

I decided to get an early start on the January MMD book club selection and it turned out to be just what I needed to get me reading again. That was surprising, to me anyway, given that it's debut historical fiction with three storylines following three women in three different centuries... plus it features a supernatural or witchy element, which I tend to avoid. The stories engaged me right away and I was always eager to pick it up again. I later found out this novel won the goodreads choice award for historical fiction last year... which doesn't surprise me.  

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Current reading//

A Good Life by Virginie Grimaldi

I've enjoyed quite a few Europa Editions titles over the years and it has become one few independent publishers whose new offerings I follow closely. This novel is described as: "Full of humor and compassion, a profound exploration of sisterhood, healing, and the ineffable beauty of life from France‘s most beloved contemporary novelist.."

Published at the beginning of the summer, I was disappointed when none of my libraries purchased a copy. The cover caught my eye again at my local indie, but the price was quite steep. I picked it up a couple of months ago as a kindle daily and really like it so far!

In the kitchen//

We eat soup all year long, but I seem to enjoy it even more when the weather turns colder and wetter. Early this week I made a batch of Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup from Damn Delicious... and it was delicious! The two changes I made included using half and half instead of heavy cream, and 8 cups (2 full cartons) of chicken stock instead of 6. Next time I may even try milk instead of half and half, depending on what I have on hand.

Now on to Thanksgiving//

It's only November 22, but Thanksgiving is late this year and since we're traveling in early December, we're going to put up the Christmas tree and decorations this weekend.

Next week, we'll drive to central New York to spend Thanksgiving with my parents and siblings. This is the first time since 2018 we've celebrated with my whole family and I'm pretty excited about it. While we're up there, we'll also attend the traditional extended family Christmas party, complete with Yankee Swap - always a memorable event! It'll be great to see my cousins and their families, too. Our 39th wedding anniversary and my father's 89th birthday also coincide with this visit. We have so much to celebrate and be thankful for this year.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I'll check back in again next month.

A Pre-Election Reading Update

Hello, friends. After a week of beautiful fall weather, walks with an audiobook, and a weekend filled with family and dogs, I'm here with an unusual Monday update. 

Recent reading//

Be Ready When the Luck Happens

by Ina Garten, narrated by the author

After posting "My Year in Nonfiction" for Nonfiction November last week, I realized that my nonfiction reading has been less than satisfying this year. In an effort to get back on tract, I picked up this highly anticipated foodie memoir and was not disappointed.  

I own several of Ina's cookbooks, attended one of her zoom events during the pandemic (remember when they were a novelty?) and regularly prepare many of her recipes. I haven't watched her television shows more than once or twice, but still consider myself a fan.

This memoir turned out to be even better than expected. It covered her difficult childhood, her relationship with Jeffrey, and how she came to own and operate Barefoot Contessa. In addition, Ina talked about her business philosophy, the many real estate transactions and renovations, and the evolution of her television show... plus there was some enjoyable name-dropping when the topic turned to show guests, friends, and her famous dinner parties.

I really enjoyed Ina's narration and am glad I listened, but there are some photos and recipes included in the print book that are worth checking out, too! ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies

by Deeshaw Philyaw, narrated by Janina Edwards

This is the November selection over at MMD book club. I listened to this short story collection back in 2021 and wasn't planning a reread, but discovered that the audio is still available via hoopla. I always get more out of the author talks when the book is fresh in my mind and, at 4 hours long, it wasn't a huge time commitment. The stories all feature Black women and deal with sexuality, church, families, and relationships. As always, I enjoyed some more than others with "How to Make Love to a Physicist" being my favorite. ⭐⭐⭐💫

Current reading//

The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff

This slim travel memoir is the follow-up to Hanff's beloved 84, Charing Cross Road, a book I've read or listened to multiple times over the years.

What I Ate in One Year (and related thoughts)

by Stanley Tucci, narrated by the author

I just started listening to this memoir yesterday and love it already. It'll be just what I need to take my mind off the election and its aftermath.

The week ahead//

As we are all aware, tomorrow is Election Day... and it can't come soon enough for me. We voted by mail (seemingly weeks ago), and our ballots have been received and accepted. It's certain there will be no winner announced Tuesday night, yet I am just as certain someone will choose to declare victory. Beyond that, I am afraid we'll be dealing with a lot of accusations and misinformation. My anxiety level is already through the roof.

Tomorrow we will have the distraction of an overnight trip to attend the funeral of a high school friend's mother. All bets are off after that...

How was your week? What have you been reading?

Our canine guests: my sister-in-law's Bernerdoodle Ophelia and our grandpup Winnie the Whippet.