Hi, remember me? I'm still here, but can't seem to manage any kind of blogging consistency lately. The summer seems to be flying by and it's been a hot, humid, and relatively dry one in our corner of CT. Friday we had a brief respite from the humidity, but still nothing in the way of rain. Overall, we've kept things low-key the last couple of months, and I couldn't be happier. There have been no major trips, weddings, or remodeling projects and as a result, it's been a pretty relaxing summer.
So what have we been doing? We visited central NY a couple of times to see my family and attend a bridal shower for my nephew's fiancé. Our oldest daughter and son-in-law moved into their house in West Hartford, so we've been trying to help them as much as possible. (We still have one more daughter and son-in-law left in NYC.) My morning walks, when they happen, have been early and we've been exploring historic sites, gardens, and lobster shacks all around the state. July was also a decent reading month.
Books Read in July
Bug Hollow by Michelle Huneven
Speak to Me of Home by Jeanine Cummins
The Jane Austen Insult Guide for Well-Bred Women by Emily Reed
The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison
Recent Reading//
Abide with Me by Elizabeth Strout
This was my only unread Elizabeth Strout novel, and now I'm a completist! Originally published in 2006, it is a somber story about a Congregational minister in a small, rural Maine town trying to hold it all together after his wife's untimely death. He has two young daughters, parishioners with complex problems who look to him for guidance, and is also dealing with his own crisis of faith. As he tries to work through it all, the local gossip mill churns mercilessly painting an unfavorable, largely inaccurate portrait of Reverend Tyler Caskey.
As always, I loved Strout's writing, but this book will not go down as one of my favorites. It's worth a read especially if, like me, you're angling to become a Strout completist, but I much preferred the Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge novels.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Current Reading//
The Annotated Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, David Shapard
This year for Austen in August, I'm reading a couple chapters a day of Jane's longest novel and discussing with a small group over at Modern Mrs. Darcy book club. This annotated edition is nearly 900 pages long and I'm just past the midpoint.
The House on Fripp Island by Rebecca Kauffman
A backlist (2020) title from a new favorite author, I've read just over a third of this one.
Dracula Daily by Bram Stoker
The real-time reading of this epistolary novel continues. It's getting creepy!
How is your summer going? What have you been reading lately?
Dracula Daily has me curious. Lots of great reading in for you this month, impressive! I have been reading much more with these triple digit temps and then the rains.
ReplyDeleteLast night we had a lightening strike so close to the house - it fried our DVD player and 5 outlets in the house. Took out Internet but Xfinity was there immediately hooking us back up. Funny thing was, we decided to watch a library DVD last night and now it's stuck inside the DVD player. Guess I'll have to pay for that.
Glad you have had a quiet summer so far and one of your daughters is closer to you now. Sounds like good eating and reading for you!
Tina - It's so hot and rainy there right now, reading must be about all you want to do! Sorry about the lightning frying the electrical stuff. That's happened to us down there, too. The last three years since Ian have been so crazy with all the remodeling, weddings, etc. and this summer has been a long over due break from all of that! We need to have the entire interior painted here, but I won't even think about that until fall. I'm so happy we gave ourselves the summer off!
DeleteYou deserved the summer off! It's always something coming up to need our attention, especially with home ownership. That lightning strike caused us to need a new gas water heater, surge protector on the fuse box, destroyed that DVD player but Doug did get the movie out so I can return that. The repairmen were here yesterday and afterwards we had to go to the vet in a hurry., Loki has panctreatitus. Ugh. I think having savings is so overrated, haha
DeleteOn the bright side, I have loads of books which aren't costing me one dime :-)
Tina - Oh, no... that's a lot from the lightning strike. And I unfortunately know how expensive emergency vets are. Is Loki okay now?
DeleteA relaxing summer sounds absolutely wonderful! I've got a bunch of family here this week and that's been amazing. It will feel really quiet when they all leave on Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteHelen - The last few years have been so busy and I have really appreciated avoiding anything major this summer. Glad you've been enjoying the time with your famly.
DeleteHope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteOur summer has been surprisingly busy, with lots of short trips. I'm looking forward to a quieter fall.
ReplyDeleteYou rated The Jane Austen Insult Guide for Well-Bred Women highly, so I think I need to look for it.
Deb - Things will pick back up for us in the fall, so this quiet summer has been great. That Jane Austen insult guide is hilarious. Take a look next time you're in a bookstore. It just came out a few months ago.
DeleteYour books look really good. I haven't read any of them. I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yvonne. Hope your week is off to a good start.
DeleteYes, I remember you! :) Summer is always a hectic time, so don't worry. There will be plenty of time to blog in the off-season. You deserve a calm summer with no big projects or trips. It's been humid here, as well. We got a little bit of rain the other day, but not even an inch, so we're still pretty dry.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading Bug Hollow and Speak to Me of Home later this year. Still working on my top shelf of summer reading choices. Slow going... Hooray for finishing all of Elizabeth Strout's books! I still have three more, plus one re-read to wrap up the year. I've so enjoyed my year of reading her and Maggie Smith. I'll have to find someone to read next year. Hmmm.
Trying to finish Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver (a re-read) for book club on Thursday. I need to have Rod lock me out of my computer so I stop playing Mah Jong online! So addictive!
Les - It's funny, I was just thinking about reading plans for next year, too. Must be that back-to-school vibe that has set in! No decisions, of course, but it's fun to think about.
DeleteI'm really loving this quieter summer. We do have 2 nephews getting married, but will miss the wedding in Santa Fe since it overlaps with my mother's 90th birthday next month. The other one isn't until November first and it's in NY, so not as far. We do need to get some painting contractors in here in the fall, so I'll start getting some estimates soon.
I remember enjoying Flight Behavior years ago. Still hoping to get to The Lacuna before she has another book out!
We finally had a less humid day yesterday and were able to open the windows. This morning it's even a little chilly... feels nice for a change. Now if we could just get a little rain!
Love the update and the low-key sound of your summer. You deserve it after how busy you were for so long. To complete all of Strout is impressive. I have read most of hers but have missed a few. And that's a long Mansfield Park, good for you. Enjoy the rest of your summer. I'm currently listening to The Lion Women of Tehran ... think it might be a good one.
ReplyDeleteSusan - Mansfield Park is long for Jane Austen, but the annotations practically double the length! They are interesting though. I just saw a review of The Lion Women of Tehran that caused me to add it to my list. Hope the audio turns out to be a winner for you!
DeleteGood to hear what you've been doing, JoAnn. Seems like a nice summer for you. I've been enjoying mine as well. I'll be back to posting in September. Think I'll be ready by then. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kay. I'll look forward to catching up with your news soon. Glad you're having a good summer!
DeleteWelcome back!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have had a lovely summer.
Thanks, Marg.
DeleteI swear this summer has been on fast forward! I haven't read anything by Rebecca Kauffman and now you have me curious! I also need to read more Elizabeth Strout. I've enjoyed everything I've read by her but there are a number I haven't gotten to you. I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I think if you like Elizabeth Strout's style, then you should enjoy all of her books. She is my favorite!
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