Hello, friends and happy Sunday from NYC! We've been here for a couple of weeks and have settled into a comfortable city routine. Baby Aaron is thriving, his parents are adjusting to their new lives, and we help out most days. I've also enjoyed exploring the neighborhood, spending some free time on our rooftop, and discovering new restaurants. This is the view from our apartment looking west to the Hudson River.
I've finished a couple of books and am still keeping up with the War and Peace reading schedule. This afternoon I'll walk to the massive Upper West Side Barnes and Noble... as soon as the rain lets up!
Recent reading//
On the surface Troika is the story of a three-day road trip along the California coast, but it's actually much more. Irena Smith uses that trip with her mother and daughter as a vehicle (😉) to tell a larger story. She delves into her family history in Soviet Russia, their immigration to the US in the 1970s, plus her own life story. Along the way, she weaves in parallels with The Odyssey and discusses The White Lotus television series. I have not watched the show, but imagine these references contain spoilers. The memoir is well-written, creatively constructed, and I enjoyed listening to the author narrate her own story.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild
I'd decided to skip this debut novel when it was published last year for two reasons. I don't like the cover - shallow, I know - and I wasn't up for a domestic page-turner centered around a tragedy and reproductive technology. Then MMD book club announced its October selection.
Since it was immediately available on Libby, I decide to dive right in. It was indeed a page-turner and I enjoyed it more than expected. I won't say anything more about the plot, but there is certainly plenty to discuss with book club!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 stars, rounded up)
Current reading//
The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen
I've been craving another Elizabeth Bowen novel since I finished The Death of the Heart a few month ago. Just started this coming-of-age story set in Ireland yesterday.
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
The epic year-long group read continues...
How was your week? What have you been reading?
The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
Delighted everyone, especially the new baby, is doing well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your week, and that great view, happy reading!
Shelleyrae - Despite being tired, they're all settling in very nicely!
DeleteHi JoAnn. That's quite a view and I love the idea of a rooftop. I'm not sure i could concentrate on reading up there as I would keep looking around!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that sweet baby Aaron is thriving. I know you all are having a great time with him.
Very happy to hear Troika is a good read. Its been on my list but the Kindle version is too much right now. Saving Grace sounds like a winner as well.
Great to read your update.
Tina - I love being on that rooftop in the evening... watching the sun set and all the lights come on. It's really beautiful! Aaron is just as sweet as can be. I'm so glad we are here to help, but also to witness all the changes. You can see him growing and changing from day to day!
DeleteTroika was an interesting read, even if most of The Odyssey references were lost on me.
I'm envious of your time in New York City. It sounds wonderful. I have The Death of the Heart on my list to read, and I'm glad you are now reading another Bowen book.
ReplyDeleteDeb - I'm not very far into The Last September, but enjoying it already. Bowen was such a talented writer. So happy to be in NYC for a while!
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