Hello, friends, it's been a while! I didn't mean to disappear for so long, but April and May got so busy. First of all, we made it back and are settled in for another CT summer. We closed up the FL house, spent a few days in Alexandria, VA/DC on the drive north, and have even been to central NY to visit my parents and siblings. Now we're enjoying a relatively quiet (and chilly!) long holiday weekend.
The big news is that our oldest daughter and son-in-law are moving to CT! They close on their new home next month and it's only 45 minutes away. We're thrilled. Twin A and her husband are still living in NYC, so our regular visits to the city will continue... and that also makes me happy.
Recent reading//
Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson
I've been a fan of Kevin Wilson since Nothing to See Here landed on my favorites list in 2019 and I couldn't believe my luck when I found myself at the top of the library hold list for his latest novel. This one is a zany road trip novel and I loved it! It's the June selection for MMD Book Club and I'm already looking forward to the author chat.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Voices in Summer by Rosamunde Pilcher
This is a slim, lesser-known novel originally published in 1984, but still distinctively Pilcher. It features her lush descriptions of the Cornwall coast, a mostly endearing cast of characters, and a simpler way of life. Despite the predictable ending, it was a lovely read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
by Annie B. Jones
If you listen to From the Front Porch podcast or have supported The Bookshelf in Thomasville, Ga, then you know Annie B. Jones. I'm slowly reading/listening to her debut essay collection, which I pre-ordered from her store. It's very good so far.
Hot Air by Marcy Dermansky
My library hold came in yesterday and the first few pages of this book have pulled me in. Just wish I could remember where I first heard about it! A joyfully unhinged story of money, marriage, sex, and revenge unspools when a billionaire crashes his hot air balloon into the middle of a post-pandemic first date.
Dracula Daily: Reading Bram Stoker's Dracula in Real Time With Commentary by the Internet by Bram Stoker, edited by Matt Kirkland
Have you every read Dracula? Did you know it is an epistolary novel consisting of journal entries and letters? My answer to both of those questions is no, so I was intrigued when a small group of MMD members decided to start a community read in real time. The first journal entry was May 3 and it concludes sometime in November. We're just getting started, but I think this is going to be fun!
The rest of the weekend//
When we got back to CT, I re-discovered a Christmas gift certificate to a nearby indie bookstore. This afternoon, we'll head over to R.J.Julia and maybe stop for a lobster roll on the way home. Tomorrow is our town's Memorial Day parade and, of course, we'll grill some burgers to kick off the summer season. I'm also planning on a couple hours of reading and relaxing.
How have you been? What are you reading this weekend?
The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
So good to see your post today, JoAnn! You've had a busy spring, but it all sounds good. And now it's almost summer. I've been hearing complaints about the cold, rainy weather in the northeast, but it sounds pretty much like our normal weather on the coast in Oregon. ;) We start warming up in August and September!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see that you enjoyed the new Kevin Wilson book. I loved Nothing to See Here, and will add this one to my audio list. I see that Marin Ireland is the reader, and I've enjoyed her narration of Wilson's book, so that's a plus.
I've read a few of Pilcher's novellas, but can't remember if this is one I've tried. Good to know that you enjoyed it. I'm sorry that I've run out of her books to read. Guess I'll have to go back and start re-reading a few in the coming years.
Ordinary Time sounds like a winner. I'll see about getting it from the library.
I've not read Dracula, but my husband loved the book and at one time had an annotated edition, which he said was excellent.
I'm going to walk into town tomorrow and watch the Fleet of Flowers parade. The tradition dates back 80 years. The event expands the theme of Memorial Day to honor not just U.S. military personnel who have died in service but all seafarers (that is, folks employed to work aboard marine vessels) who have been lost at sea. The fleet of boats, led by the Coast Guard boats, heads out of Depoe Bay harbor and heads out to sea where passengers drop beautiful cedar wreaths to honor those lost at sea.
I also plan to spend some time in the yard cleaning up downed tree limbs and debris from last year's storms. I may try to relax and curl up with my current books. I'm reading Table for Two (Amor Towles) and My Name is Lucy Barton (Elizabeth Strout). This is the third time I've read Lucy!
Have a lovely weekend, JoAnn!
Les - It's good to be back, I missed this space and my blogging friends! Voices in Summer reminded me of all the reasons I enjoy Pilcher's novel despite its predictability . It was so nice to spend time in her world again.
DeleteI love From the Front Porch podcast and my taste in books seems to be similar to Annie's. I even had one of her shelf subscriptions from The Bookshelf for a while, so I knew I had to read her book. It's very good and I'll probably finish in another day or two.
The Fleet of Flowers parade sounds like an amazing event. Hope you enjoyed the holiday weekend... and it sounds like you've got some great books going!
Lobster rolls sound like a good start to summer. Too bad they don’t live in the Great Lakes around us.
ReplyDeleteMae - That lobster roll was the perfect summer kickoff!
DeleteI read Dracula for the first time a couple of years ago using Dracula Daily. I thought it was a great way to do it -- I hope you like it, too!
ReplyDeleteJoy - I never read horror, but am surprised by how much I'm enjoying Dracula! It's still early, but I'm excited to see how it unfolds.
DeleteYay for your daughter moving to CT and being closer. That is always a blessing. I hope things slow down for you and you are able to enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteCindy - We are thrilled to have them live closer! My fingers are crossed that our other NYC daughter will move up the coast in the next couple of years, too.
DeleteSounds like you've had a good spring and things are already lining up for summer fun! That's great that one of your daughters is moving closer to you!
ReplyDeleteJinjer - It's been a pretty wild spring for sure. We're so excited for our daughter and SIL's new house. They're moving from a small NYC apt to house, and she's already asked me to help her shop for furniture, etc. Lots of projects coming up!
DeleteNice to hear from you, JoAnn. Glad you guys are back in the cooler north for a while and how nice to be so near soon to your daughter. Have a great weekend and take care!
ReplyDeleteKay - It's really good to be back! As much as I love being in Sanibel, the northeast feels more comfortable and familiar. It's good to have family closer, too.
DeleteHow nice that you’re closer to family now JoAnn. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jodie. We're so happy about that.
DeleteA long-lost indie bookstore gift certificate? That is a real find! As you commented on my blog, CT wasn't exactly warm this weekend so it will feel good to feel the CA sunshine when I get home tomorrow afternoon.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that your daughter is moving close to you!
Helen - It was so warm and beautiful here Mother's Day weekend, too bad it didn't continue for your visit! Hope you had an uneventful trip home and are enjoying the sunshine now.
DeleteWelcome back! I've missed reading your posts. I'll have to check out Run for the Hills--I've only read Now is Not the Time to Panic by Wilson, but I loved it. And, I really like road trips and road trip novels.
ReplyDeleteThere's a Rosamunde Pilcher that I don't know about it? I need a fun read in the worst way, so heading to my library app now.
I listened to Dracula probably twenty years ago, before blogging days, but absolutely loved it. I love the idea of reading it along the letter/diary entry dates. Should be such a kick! I read The Woman in White on the 150th anniversary of its publication, following the serialization schedule, which made it very special. Enjoy!
Sounds like a wonderful summer is in store for you :)
JaneGS - I ended up buying a copy Run for the Hills with my rediscovered Christmas gift certificate. My mother/sister's library doesn't have a copy yet, so they can both read it and I get a copy for my shelves.
DeleteHope your library has the Pilcher novel... predictable, but so comforting.
Dracula is surprising me. I never read horror, but am having a good time with it. I'm sure the community aspect helps, too.
I remember loving The Woman in White. That must have been a great experience to read it according to the serialization schedule.
That cover for Hot Air is pretty cool! And yay for your daughter moving closer!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Marg - The cover was definitely one of the attractions for Hot Air ;-)
DeleteGlad to see you back! I just finished Edith Wharton's The Custom of the Country for a read-along with a couple of friends. I loved it, but it's much more cynical than I expected. Now I'm reading Louise Penny's first Gamache book, Still Life, and enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteAmy - The Custom of the Country is an amazing novel... definitely my favorite Wharton. I think Undine is one of the most unforgettable characters ever!
DeleteUndine truly is. Apparently Sofia Coppola was going to create a miniseries about it for Apple TV, but it fell through. I hope she tries to sell it elsewhere. She'd be perfect for creating it.
DeleteAmy - That would make an excellent miniseries! Sure hope it happens somewhere.
DeleteYay I'm glad you're back in CT. It's nice your family can be together now even more often. It's wonderful that it's summer now ... and we are in a weird week now of mid-80s so soon! I will get out to water all the plants. Glad you liked the Kevin Wilson book. I still love Nothing to See Here. Much to read as I begin my summer list but first I need to finish May reads this week!
ReplyDeleteSusan - I loved the audio of Nothing to See Here and was happy to see Marin Ireland narrates Run for the Hills, too. Really fun as a read/listen combination! Trying to come up with a summer reading plan this week and I'm going to try to read a mix of backlist and new releases. We'll see how that goes.
DeleteI thank you for adding three more books to my summer reading list---Run for the Hills, Ordinary Time, (both of these are at my library) and Dracula Daily (!) It was difficult for me to come up with my reading list for summer; I may add some of these to my list if they arrive for me in time to add.
ReplyDeleteDeb - Making a summer reading list is one of my projects this week. I've got a few new releases I want to get to, but am also trying to read a lot of backlist.
DeleteI'm looking forward to the Kevin Wilson book, it's among my holds which are currently suspended until after the move. So glad your daughter and SIL will be closer. That will be so nice and easy for visits.
ReplyDeleteSince you are done with the Pilcher I went ahead and started it yesterday and see what you mean. Already a good ways through it.
Tina - That Pilcher is such a quick read, isn't it? I'm guessing you'll finish soon if you haven't already. Good luck with your move!
DeleteApril and May went so fast! I still can't believe it's almost June. That's so exciting about your daughter. I own and have read that Rosamunde Pilcher but it's been awhile since I read it and remember very little about it. I will have to pull it off the shelf. I'm a big fan of the From the Porch podcast and am looking forward to picking this book up. I look forward to seeing your thoughts on it. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I finished Ordinary Time yesterday and, if you're a fan, you're going to really like it... especially on audio.
DeleteVoices in Summer by Rosamunde Pilcher sounds like the perfect escape! Her books are always so beautifully written, with such a wonderful sense of place and characters you truly connect with. I can almost feel the warmth of the Cornish summer just thinking about it. A truly delightful read, I'm sure! Baker Skills in USA
ReplyDelete