tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70809654366532893982024-03-18T21:35:14.146-04:00Gulfside MusingJoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comBlogger1774125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-85290550571007418192024-03-17T14:54:00.005-04:002024-03-17T20:35:12.284-04:00A St. Patrick's Day Sunday Salon!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHO4CEuzrCiLnguH0JnTTowPoFml63JGJpPjdO8uJiUhPAXMvb5iRneg8Am4TreMCoYtv6577PDdUeCaqHqhSpTWv9GiD8wJyKTpgsI3hEHBPdIYtr6tolb5zG7eQHsFp0r_xMF8nDpBNHB-EdpzRKumBK7_wSKAenVhxdRNnB0jRsGS-WsWwTfjpbdxc/s3873/IMG_1344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3873" data-original-width="2905" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHO4CEuzrCiLnguH0JnTTowPoFml63JGJpPjdO8uJiUhPAXMvb5iRneg8Am4TreMCoYtv6577PDdUeCaqHqhSpTWv9GiD8wJyKTpgsI3hEHBPdIYtr6tolb5zG7eQHsFp0r_xMF8nDpBNHB-EdpzRKumBK7_wSKAenVhxdRNnB0jRsGS-WsWwTfjpbdxc/w300-h400/IMG_1344.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello, friends and Happy St. Patrick's Day! We are at home and alone this weekend... our first solo weekend in about six weeks. That's not at all a complaint, but I sure am enjoying the peace and quiet!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Work inside our house has come to a halt again... it's probably time to start nagging. The paver order came in though and work on the driveway is supposed to begin this week. In the meantime, I've finished several books since I checked in a couple of weeks ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Recent reading//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0_nfobpoFCgynCF4u6seX_KsdgbnVfsF37sVoYyQKD3i0u-ZgOgqO8Ci0KMYroP1doGNqVuKHUhwPE_7rZwhwHRgnXOceXXRl-UMcg6oPSKmsYb0cPBDme3Zz2SLbhIZS3ygi7S7y9XpFSXovoLFHzha3nX-w3HzeqbzdpqtmLhA4d8lAjY3Lq-GjRw/s4032/IMG_1276.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0_nfobpoFCgynCF4u6seX_KsdgbnVfsF37sVoYyQKD3i0u-ZgOgqO8Ci0KMYroP1doGNqVuKHUhwPE_7rZwhwHRgnXOceXXRl-UMcg6oPSKmsYb0cPBDme3Zz2SLbhIZS3ygi7S7y9XpFSXovoLFHzha3nX-w3HzeqbzdpqtmLhA4d8lAjY3Lq-GjRw/s320/IMG_1276.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-sunday-salon-i-get-late-start-on.html" target="_blank">We Are the Brennans</a></b> by Tracey Lange</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the March selection at <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">Modern Mrs. Darcy</a> book club and was an enjoyable summer read for me back in 2021. I wasn't initially planning a reread, but there are quite a few characters and the details had become too fuzzy for me to enjoy the discussion and author chat. As it turned out, this book was even better the second time around! It's your typical messy family drama with lots of secrets and complicated relationships. In addition, the Brennan family owns a neighborhood Irish pub near Westchester county, NY which makes things even more interesting. The audio, narrated by Barrie Kreinik, is excellent. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐⭐💫</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnJuP4V_SMVCC3IDD9AIwfsKNPbNn4kdDY_WBBhL8fed_60u6dAjovfUIHok99pUqatrHits1nZs9YG_hb1lFiF2UQFTV5n7efLBRxnEN4PWgzlCmf7-zCWemc4tfUXRda87QWRIwwnlzzMsUfwIZZsy826BcX6VXajDgH83ZkotZfob1jhIA4ET1syU/s400/57282239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="274" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnJuP4V_SMVCC3IDD9AIwfsKNPbNn4kdDY_WBBhL8fed_60u6dAjovfUIHok99pUqatrHits1nZs9YG_hb1lFiF2UQFTV5n7efLBRxnEN4PWgzlCmf7-zCWemc4tfUXRda87QWRIwwnlzzMsUfwIZZsy826BcX6VXajDgH83ZkotZfob1jhIA4ET1syU/s320/57282239.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58729866-recitatif" target="_blank">Recitatif </a>by Toni Morrison</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is probably the most thought-provoking short story I've ever read! It's about two eight-year-old girls who spend several months as roommates at a shelter - one because her mother is sick and the other because her mother "dances all night." They randomly meet again several times over the years and the meetings cause both girls to question their memories and perceptions. One girl is black, the other is white, and Morrison chooses not to let the reader know which is which. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Morrison herself described this story as "an experiment in the removal of all racial codes from a narrative about two characters of different races for whom racial identity is crucial." </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First published in 1983, it was reissued in 2022 with a discussion/introduction by Zadie Smith. I'm glad I heeded the advice to read the story BEFORE Smith's commentary. After reading both the story and then commentary, I went back and listened to the story again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ikcb1RVWnoDERvcqqN4Rf7B_Zm_cadwRpi3nwiHc1NDPxWVCdWwN6v6aiyEVQ0w4JayzUdWs_nrEB5JZdG7rxGL2aCov99-sw1XasCpozQXmUoOPeZz7GfoQJDZqPY7D8h3GpkSNB9b5fn03i-zxUtlfI3Ytm9h1Hf9y5S2TnIZvc9ynNXGqze-tCwM/s666/49631287.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="441" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ikcb1RVWnoDERvcqqN4Rf7B_Zm_cadwRpi3nwiHc1NDPxWVCdWwN6v6aiyEVQ0w4JayzUdWs_nrEB5JZdG7rxGL2aCov99-sw1XasCpozQXmUoOPeZz7GfoQJDZqPY7D8h3GpkSNB9b5fn03i-zxUtlfI3Ytm9h1Hf9y5S2TnIZvc9ynNXGqze-tCwM/s320/49631287.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49631287-the-mountains-sing?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_18" target="_blank">The Mountains Sing</a></b> by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Loosely based on experiences of the author's relatives, this is a multigenerational story that follows one North Vietnamese family through the turbulence of the 20th century, including the Communist Land Reform, Great Hunger, and the Vietnam War. It was an absorbing, sobering read which caused me to think about Vietnam from a perspective I had not previously considered. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I chose a read/listen combination and the audio, narrated by Quyen Ngo, enhanced my overall reading experience. I appreciated hearing correct pronunciations of names and places, and enjoyed the reader's melodious delivery of Vietnamese proverbs and poems. (The audiobook is available through hoopla.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Highly recommended. Four and a half stars for now, but may increase as I continue to think about it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐⭐💫</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvAE9AvFU0csoDQSy9qnXkRGbOg6ZavN72JZRJf7ralZPgPnzpdDCPpnLo58Nk-IYBJiU_DO2eEv3S-xj3vKy9aKvFHfD1NvrthXEiLdDgH_skMBJdS0ZOyf_hF8Go5w2JJjUiutxoJMMA9X8Yk7oBnLCK7bCx1MBQn-CzX3PYViSXHDZSfBJr3HLoYM/s400/124801870.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvAE9AvFU0csoDQSy9qnXkRGbOg6ZavN72JZRJf7ralZPgPnzpdDCPpnLo58Nk-IYBJiU_DO2eEv3S-xj3vKy9aKvFHfD1NvrthXEiLdDgH_skMBJdS0ZOyf_hF8Go5w2JJjUiutxoJMMA9X8Yk7oBnLCK7bCx1MBQn-CzX3PYViSXHDZSfBJr3HLoYM/s320/124801870.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/124801870-house-love?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0DU5YJlm6g&rank=3" target="_blank">House Love</a></b> by Patric Richardson</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Richardson's previous book, <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49247159-laundry-love" target="_blank">Laundry Love</a></i>, was a hit for me in 2022 and he has developed quite a following since its publication. This book is an attempt to expand on that successful format by offering both decorating ideas and cleaning plans for every space in your house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Where <i>Laundry Love</i> was both entertaining and taught me a few things, this one was entertaining enough, but felt a little lighter on information. I should note that I listened to <i>Laundry Love</i>, narrated by the author, and am certain his delivery added to my enjoyment. It probably would have been a better choice to listen to this one, too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Current reading//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ9hQwCnAH0SHooxAXDTQmsX5DQKdGd7T8yn5VH2vSWB9ZQn9yljNdDLwE-QCcXLouZ9hdxiuwDXc6r8ryz9F1ooUWHu842ntFB1a2xpa-fRiDARCPp4vR78AKX3I9cpeEq2PYNl35vsWk1SV9fDVBM3dEanyfrC6V0Kn8ONgaD-1FqvAEBg-AIesw9k/s509/59577177.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="340" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ9hQwCnAH0SHooxAXDTQmsX5DQKdGd7T8yn5VH2vSWB9ZQn9yljNdDLwE-QCcXLouZ9hdxiuwDXc6r8ryz9F1ooUWHu842ntFB1a2xpa-fRiDARCPp4vR78AKX3I9cpeEq2PYNl35vsWk1SV9fDVBM3dEanyfrC6V0Kn8ONgaD-1FqvAEBg-AIesw9k/s320/59577177.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61246905-also-a-poet" target="_blank">Also A Poet</a></b> by Ada Calhoun</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I just started this memoir earlier today. It's the April selection at <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">MMD</a> and is pretty interesting so far. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The week ahead//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This week will be more about socializing than appointments - hooray! We have some old friends arriving in their small RV tomorrow for a quick overnight, friends from Wisconsin coming for dinner on Tuesday, and a neighborhood party on Friday. Should be a fun week! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How was your week? What have you been reading?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloWPr-4mXDSKc74xBXIYcQKBLTltEJdN2SnQq9cKL6Xk5iYVAhvg4cb1c_rbEbOxVp9k7v2Ve03i0z4h74kiYB_n3NshrP8wJ7pFmAQy1HFAyIZ_97Iz0ZUYXqGjycQAC6brLF0-LH8dt2RWQxhhteB8C58Msj5xbWEitRhxaF-3YKpJIokHh2IaXFbo/s250/SundaySalon.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloWPr-4mXDSKc74xBXIYcQKBLTltEJdN2SnQq9cKL6Xk5iYVAhvg4cb1c_rbEbOxVp9k7v2Ve03i0z4h74kiYB_n3NshrP8wJ7pFmAQy1HFAyIZ_97Iz0ZUYXqGjycQAC6brLF0-LH8dt2RWQxhhteB8C58Msj5xbWEitRhxaF-3YKpJIokHh2IaXFbo/w200-h200/SundaySalon.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at <a href="https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-sunday-salon-i-get-late-start-on.html" target="_blank">Readerbuzz</a>.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-64508030754049482024-03-03T10:42:00.001-05:002024-03-03T10:42:52.688-05:00The Sunday Salon: March is Here!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VJh9TJXIgpXyOgtDzpOM1Y7cOTb9l7kbKGq6kEdq95nJKQe2yLX906EvBrlf2XsE2CzOXNuZFhJBTPFpv7EKls_rBmM0NBRV3-EoMcp_7KAk3WsHUOlSTG3J2AhCH2zMFomolq9ocjXuFEar9pUnseziHlwQjYjzG2vBj_JaTGnh6lGFGlP9zqdX448/s3908/IMG_1158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3908" data-original-width="2931" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VJh9TJXIgpXyOgtDzpOM1Y7cOTb9l7kbKGq6kEdq95nJKQe2yLX906EvBrlf2XsE2CzOXNuZFhJBTPFpv7EKls_rBmM0NBRV3-EoMcp_7KAk3WsHUOlSTG3J2AhCH2zMFomolq9ocjXuFEar9pUnseziHlwQjYjzG2vBj_JaTGnh6lGFGlP9zqdX448/w300-h400/IMG_1158.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello friends and happy March?! February has pretty much been a blur. It's high season around here and we've had a full house all month! Both daughters with their partners, my sister and BIL, and now my SIL have all visited. It been great spending time with everyone, but didn't leave much time for reading.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the renovation front, we finally made it to the top of the painter's list. They were here most of last week and our downstairs is starting to look livable again! They should finish this week, then the electricians will be back, with cabinets/vanity after that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Recent reading//</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5orx4JxJmyBF7cK5BgeSm0z2mOW5LuZBYDMnkgJXPiGDykkltBvMy2C0IVwPb8w4eSaM9GNl488SJQMTYSAPwusYh3dUeA-PomwNTfnoaEVcNJwDNWNyXTYcps1DjtEeus_VkadXFgai3UAaPrRCeg5dyyhbFy6cI3LZ_Pvkrd1a3JalAL66fC2GDqo/s446/60207762.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5orx4JxJmyBF7cK5BgeSm0z2mOW5LuZBYDMnkgJXPiGDykkltBvMy2C0IVwPb8w4eSaM9GNl488SJQMTYSAPwusYh3dUeA-PomwNTfnoaEVcNJwDNWNyXTYcps1DjtEeus_VkadXFgai3UAaPrRCeg5dyyhbFy6cI3LZ_Pvkrd1a3JalAL66fC2GDqo/s320/60207762.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60207762-belle-greene" target="_blank">Belle Greene</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Alexandra Lapierre, translated by Tina Kover</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I purchased this book months ago with a birthday gift card and was excited when <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">MMD book club</a> chose it as a February "flight pick" to go with <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55333938-the-personal-librarian?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=sXc5mR4PNF&rank=1" target="_blank">The Personal Librarian</a></i>. This book was longer, more literary, and more detailed. After reading the author's notes, bibliography, etc, I think it is the more accurate portrayal. Plus there were photos! The Morgan Library & Museum has an <a href="https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/belle-da-costa-greene" target="_blank">upcoming exhibition</a> on Belle Greene's life. I'm hoping to read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/639038.An_Illuminated_Life" target="_blank">this biography</a> before visiting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐⭐💫</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XDV8xijthH26RhMM7u3JIVoh36iMQhTQOj2KTfMOuhspUHc35D9K5zdDIJ1hGnDukbeblTSCzE2h4XSkcrkfKJqpuL6aw2SVrrhxtY52Ze1rfuid_Gdl9jzyCXX7g8Si9uf3XfF9iwKcQ-fe2D6gkETfwVLSdmRKFgfREHvLQgNtrEBQXMpN7QJcKoE/s1280/6551707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="831" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XDV8xijthH26RhMM7u3JIVoh36iMQhTQOj2KTfMOuhspUHc35D9K5zdDIJ1hGnDukbeblTSCzE2h4XSkcrkfKJqpuL6aw2SVrrhxtY52Ze1rfuid_Gdl9jzyCXX7g8Si9uf3XfF9iwKcQ-fe2D6gkETfwVLSdmRKFgfREHvLQgNtrEBQXMpN7QJcKoE/s320/6551707.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6551707-sula" target="_blank">Sula</a></b> by Toni Morrison</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've only read a couple of Toni Morrison's novels and wanted to squeeze in one more before the end of the month. <i>Sula</i> is short, just under 200 pages. It tells the story of two close childhood friends and how their relationship devolves over the course of a lifetime, even as an inexplicable bond remains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Current reading//</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBvOfSuHXZv3_GjNbxvEEVFpVpzlo7HeQ3HKAb2g27nq4pSnCoXr_VCseDExjJEtT1i4i58VNkJWipM0hA05gamrU411uNyb8reJ9Q5_xSYDu5Fr6lNP3iHtsyvBCuJp97Th7NUK47Grq358PjOQBi97IKlS-bX9rpSZG60cRdPVC520EAmXEt1yfdPs/s2851/55169040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2851" data-original-width="1876" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBvOfSuHXZv3_GjNbxvEEVFpVpzlo7HeQ3HKAb2g27nq4pSnCoXr_VCseDExjJEtT1i4i58VNkJWipM0hA05gamrU411uNyb8reJ9Q5_xSYDu5Fr6lNP3iHtsyvBCuJp97Th7NUK47Grq358PjOQBi97IKlS-bX9rpSZG60cRdPVC520EAmXEt1yfdPs/s320/55169040.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55169040-we-are-the-brennans" target="_blank">We Are the Brennans</a></b> by Tracy Lange</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the March pick of the MMD book club. I enjoyed it back in the summer of 2021... enough to do a quick reread prior to discussion. I'll finish within the next couple of days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Up next//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEeXkQd_q2GazEFWpq-pwUhokfJlhO0lHmIcDQHWF-fxjuS5DfAw4BmmhB4riYVfc6x5St5fd-wylrLE26DWxSp8GerCsE_IXm-lZ-Apqxqs0NlQ0IYNlg8Tv6gHdVA1aGNYbBa_LL9pBMaT734LNnoiyHNeh9nyIuh8oWxwd-yg8vaHxvbQ0Dmgjvtk/s400/57282239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="274" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEeXkQd_q2GazEFWpq-pwUhokfJlhO0lHmIcDQHWF-fxjuS5DfAw4BmmhB4riYVfc6x5St5fd-wylrLE26DWxSp8GerCsE_IXm-lZ-Apqxqs0NlQ0IYNlg8Tv6gHdVA1aGNYbBa_LL9pBMaT734LNnoiyHNeh9nyIuh8oWxwd-yg8vaHxvbQ0Dmgjvtk/s320/57282239.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58729866-recitatif" target="_blank">Recitatif</a></b> by Toni Morrison</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I brought this tiny hardcover home from the library last week and will set aside some time to read the short story today. Zadie Smith's introduction/discussion is actually longer than the story. I've been advised to read the story first!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The week ahead//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My sister-in-law will be here for another week. There is talk of a short trip to Key West, but I will likely stick around here while the repairs continue. That means that I'll <i>finally</i> get some time to read!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How was your week? What have you been reading lately?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Afh7845evawiqMGg60wuZXgYxruvVdBKc60ZcLcv4N78MHUPIbUyzRkHgson8vE5PRH9ArDsD1o2wGoi3ZH1s-aw9dAGEFqzS0wHPzeDZacZ9cbZbOf8wOaL77E2GsuBsfoVUeVo5UorXn_Bb0Z0DQ3PUwFd_5i3GiS1J0AnApJbfpu3EgWXHPK-xA4/s250/SundaySalon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Afh7845evawiqMGg60wuZXgYxruvVdBKc60ZcLcv4N78MHUPIbUyzRkHgson8vE5PRH9ArDsD1o2wGoi3ZH1s-aw9dAGEFqzS0wHPzeDZacZ9cbZbOf8wOaL77E2GsuBsfoVUeVo5UorXn_Bb0Z0DQ3PUwFd_5i3GiS1J0AnApJbfpu3EgWXHPK-xA4/w200-h200/SundaySalon.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at <a href="https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-sunday-salon-learning-to-rescue-sea.html" target="_blank">Readerbuzz</a>.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at <a href="https://thebookdate.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Book Date</a>.</i></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div> <p></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-42608103095838387302024-02-11T15:57:00.005-05:002024-02-11T16:03:24.290-05:00A Super Bowl Sunday Salon: February 11, 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4Z7oM3uLwh1jRS713aRJGuOeO7nvr-3PhPMrFA-eDzUjxD_Pne0SLCg5It7Xbn2xDqVjJsNnE4nQrcHfMJO99y9Udk4xHAn-yMNXB_dJm7-Uwp4bg3ghm9Meh-CW9-fAb87MaiAJCyQZs1b_o9Ilz33_1AvfcFJowczBQ5Xvkz9eUZ46tOSmWe4nLvI/s3725/IMG_1041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3725" data-original-width="2794" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4Z7oM3uLwh1jRS713aRJGuOeO7nvr-3PhPMrFA-eDzUjxD_Pne0SLCg5It7Xbn2xDqVjJsNnE4nQrcHfMJO99y9Udk4xHAn-yMNXB_dJm7-Uwp4bg3ghm9Meh-CW9-fAb87MaiAJCyQZs1b_o9Ilz33_1AvfcFJowczBQ5Xvkz9eUZ46tOSmWe4nLvI/w300-h400/IMG_1041.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Hello friends! It's a sunny Super Bowl Sunday on Sanibel and, while I don't really care about the game this year, it's still fun to watch the commercials and halftime show. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">It's good to check in here again after a busy couple of weeks. We got to spend time with our daughter/her fiancé and celebrate her birthday over their long weekend visit. </span><span style="text-align: left;">The painters finally finished the outside work, then promptly disappeared before moving on to interior repairs. But I'm told we're still on "the list." The rest of the landscape clean-up is done and we're expecting a load of gravel tomorrow. Our pavers have been </span>ordered, but delivery is ten weeks out. Baby steps... </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Recent reading//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3Gq-ploXMmeFfSu0s4P1IuhI8QHmXAeodtRySpHWf_r5jcX8nVY3UV4CJnO3328V822CXGkdgSP8VRgTzZcw2w2wdJeDFhJdoURjDd_SFzcImD3XIlesRudTXcYBOJIncKIB7ZHdBkiOOQpH7-C2UzAg7RfNkW6YxoB7dh6C_ZucHtpTbCs3vgp7zpU/s400/60417438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3Gq-ploXMmeFfSu0s4P1IuhI8QHmXAeodtRySpHWf_r5jcX8nVY3UV4CJnO3328V822CXGkdgSP8VRgTzZcw2w2wdJeDFhJdoURjDd_SFzcImD3XIlesRudTXcYBOJIncKIB7ZHdBkiOOQpH7-C2UzAg7RfNkW6YxoB7dh6C_ZucHtpTbCs3vgp7zpU/s320/60417438.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55333938-the-personal-librarian?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=b4Tf1y2x6p&rank=1" target="_blank"><b>The Personal Librarian</b> </a>by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Collaborating on a novel must be incredibly difficult and, for me, the result was a great story with less than memorable writing. I really loved learning about Belle Greene, J.P. Morgan's personal librarian, and the time period. Now I plan to dig a little deeper into Belle's life and accomplishments. <a href="https://www.themorgan.org" target="_blank">The Morgan Library and Museum</a> in NYC has an<a href="https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/belle-da-costa-greene" target="_blank"> upcoming exhibition</a> about her life and legacy opening in late October and I'm already planning my visit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Marie Benedict spoke at our library last week and I was lucky enough to "win" a ticket in the lottery. However a multi-vehicle crash blocked traffic which resulted in hours of gridlock on much of the island, including my routes to the library. I was unable to get there. My only consolation is that both authors will join a zoom chat with <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">MMD</a> book club later this month! ⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOr2N7QsVFAoiR8sCWYNJEAmfHa1S5U8IJMo3msTMrxk6mUWMzBykpXXszghSMjgDYyx5VU-q3BQdktpYTmMRKz6Yenl_Yn-pmp-ftDLm7pto9inE0v08-_YhV-uGtSWmFwd3ExLHQGTS6Abz2qHnDj3Uo7RQhpZED36BuE8E4Dab5zmVkusGwiE9UjU/s500/41dNnGZnwpL._SL500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOr2N7QsVFAoiR8sCWYNJEAmfHa1S5U8IJMo3msTMrxk6mUWMzBykpXXszghSMjgDYyx5VU-q3BQdktpYTmMRKz6Yenl_Yn-pmp-ftDLm7pto9inE0v08-_YhV-uGtSWmFwd3ExLHQGTS6Abz2qHnDj3Uo7RQhpZED36BuE8E4Dab5zmVkusGwiE9UjU/s320/41dNnGZnwpL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39735213-the-body-in-question?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=1Z1CvY4Mor&rank=1" target="_blank">The Body in Question</a></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">by Jill Ciment, narrated by Hillary Huber</span></div><div><br /></div><div>So far this year I've stuck with planned reading, but this book was entirely an impulse pick. Ann Patchett talked about it during her most recent Friday "New to You" instagram video segment. I was intrigued, found the audiobook (read by a favorite narrator) available on Libby, and then listened into the wee hours of the night when I should have been sleeping!</div><div><br /></div><div>This short novel (under 5 1/2 hours) is about a high-profile murder trial where a teenaged girl is accused of killing her toddler brother. Two jurors, sequestered for the entirety of the trial, begin a covert affair. After the trial, juror C2 returns home to her elderly husband and the affair leads to "profoundly personal and moral consequences." Dark, tense, and tightly written, I could not stop listening!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Current reading//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pCC4vpTPkWCeEUsSu7YF47TMd2pCfbSTUFjS-WtoHHNu0rkr1Ztd_ntdFEbRhFikHxVIAkvN8arZcSNmP1cAmGukMo5-8W9JsW1m8RQQMG32kDhmDJn_xDMcl-dVLUN6rqoRbP52ZyZATlH5ibSL4KX46JlXLE0BLbKhVDwQaUUyl5CSfNpg30Q7JFE/s446/60207762.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pCC4vpTPkWCeEUsSu7YF47TMd2pCfbSTUFjS-WtoHHNu0rkr1Ztd_ntdFEbRhFikHxVIAkvN8arZcSNmP1cAmGukMo5-8W9JsW1m8RQQMG32kDhmDJn_xDMcl-dVLUN6rqoRbP52ZyZATlH5ibSL4KX46JlXLE0BLbKhVDwQaUUyl5CSfNpg30Q7JFE/s320/60207762.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60207762-belle-greene" target="_blank"><b>Belle Greene</b> </a>by Alexandra Lapierre, translated by Tina Kover </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm almost 30% into this 500+ page novel, another work of historical fiction about Belle Greene. It's the February "flight pick" for MMD and so interesting to compare/contrast with<i> The Personal Librarian</i> in terms of both substance and style. At this point I think it is the superior novel. Both the ebook and audiobook are available on hoopla.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">In the kitchen//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5ZuUMqhX7ZVyJZ6kTN8SQPkVqk5Y0eNhwJKOO4WvQwGle4qPWH7GFYwhzxnKmzvk1VN9xPVMZ3XMVIOmSeMbfPvciRKpr1XQl9cLF4pom3w7Hh_zMMyBEO2nezOjMpn9MYmtmv3omdLuQhUafwR3GU-0GiPmk7pbaX38KCR2yL7xnYTr7XcdhJHf-1Y/s600/r0007207_600x440.jpg.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5ZuUMqhX7ZVyJZ6kTN8SQPkVqk5Y0eNhwJKOO4WvQwGle4qPWH7GFYwhzxnKmzvk1VN9xPVMZ3XMVIOmSeMbfPvciRKpr1XQl9cLF4pom3w7Hh_zMMyBEO2nezOjMpn9MYmtmv3omdLuQhUafwR3GU-0GiPmk7pbaX38KCR2yL7xnYTr7XcdhJHf-1Y/s320/r0007207_600x440.jpg.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm back to trying at least one new recipe each week. My latest offering came from a recent Publix ad - <a href="https://www.publix.com/recipe/key-limepeanut-grilled-chicken-skewers?origin=search8" target="_blank">Key Lime-Peanut Grilled Chicken Skewers</a> Except for cutting back on the pepper, I followed the recipe exactly as written. This is a "flavor profile" we all like, so I had a feeling it would be a hit. This will stay in our grilling season dinner rotation!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The week ahead//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Besides the delivery and spreading of new gravel, we're also looking forward to a Taco Tuesday party at a neighbor's, an afternoon with old college friends, and my sister and BIL's arrival next weekend. I'm hoping for plenty of reading time and a few sunsets at the beach, too!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How was your week? What have you been reading?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEVPkzUmAQqeY-P-_Lex1PIYtc3PsrmUhqlQd6uNvCwIBysDAutJkaVieROR4TxFv-ASXrI60Ryh0Ffv0CMnFmyklsQPrIoyfKcOCC2d-r_gULeQXG17OMYB6ESxD5NqwQxKqPSh4vR1jv8f5mqnzg0TrrItKZFOBu_RFmRc37Lg7HbnGoW8TyfjgEIE/s250/SundaySalon.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEVPkzUmAQqeY-P-_Lex1PIYtc3PsrmUhqlQd6uNvCwIBysDAutJkaVieROR4TxFv-ASXrI60Ryh0Ffv0CMnFmyklsQPrIoyfKcOCC2d-r_gULeQXG17OMYB6ESxD5NqwQxKqPSh4vR1jv8f5mqnzg0TrrItKZFOBu_RFmRc37Lg7HbnGoW8TyfjgEIE/w200-h200/SundaySalon.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRHImAbh4PXhCyQVvMOuwi3QIxAU4B0WhnvvOXG4XXDyPYEZPxS3Soqz6-t0N5p_Brd-Ed2f9LBiQBLyfx-_Qxc5SaGyiVK9ObyIkkKX4samXX1afxfYua8jAuKph3y1d-OlF2iyezUePN5RY7Tt3PFmOyUH6XYHp12BB9rx1gVl3dxH3sXSX-pvIJo8/s362/0c602-it2527s2bmonday25212bwhat2bare2byou2breading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="362" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRHImAbh4PXhCyQVvMOuwi3QIxAU4B0WhnvvOXG4XXDyPYEZPxS3Soqz6-t0N5p_Brd-Ed2f9LBiQBLyfx-_Qxc5SaGyiVK9ObyIkkKX4samXX1afxfYua8jAuKph3y1d-OlF2iyezUePN5RY7Tt3PFmOyUH6XYHp12BB9rx1gVl3dxH3sXSX-pvIJo8/w200-h181/0c602-it2527s2bmonday25212bwhat2bare2byou2breading.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at <a href="https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-sunday-salon-month-of-black-history.html" target="_blank">Readerbuzz</a>.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at <a href="https://thebookdate.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Book Date</a>.</i></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><div><br /></div>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-28660403570044998102024-01-28T13:20:00.001-05:002024-01-28T13:20:46.224-05:00Sanibel Sunday: January 28, 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI16H9j4fWYn0m7WNf3aD20jqal3EQQ8Q7bROGbdieDF3e71Ulinrg4wvsdIgTHFgobVTRglXmZqQjsZO__nvU99Jw4dPLO9Rp_2AewP2T6elBfcEGWKMaNTLW589Mqb88yTpIuO0D6t59qRUBaaR0P2SEZ4bJm8Vu7SZSAJ3xRmT11cMVbXS0TnVnODI/s3774/IMG_0863.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3774" data-original-width="2831" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI16H9j4fWYn0m7WNf3aD20jqal3EQQ8Q7bROGbdieDF3e71Ulinrg4wvsdIgTHFgobVTRglXmZqQjsZO__nvU99Jw4dPLO9Rp_2AewP2T6elBfcEGWKMaNTLW589Mqb88yTpIuO0D6t59qRUBaaR0P2SEZ4bJm8Vu7SZSAJ3xRmT11cMVbXS0TnVnODI/w300-h400/IMG_0863.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello, from Sanibel Island. It's a cloudy Sunday afternoon and I'm looking forward to a lazy day of reading, blogging, watching football, and maybe a little time at the beach if the rain holds off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We seem to be at a standstill on our hurricane reconstruction project. Evidently the painter is weeks behind schedule, so I'll be pleasantly surprised if they get to us before March! That's been frustrating, but the good news is that our landscape and driveway work should begin soon.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Recent reading//</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG0ptmCiyc9QHpkkzagCLT2hLuCsTcNyE7_V_nTuxsf5m9u3lNAN17pnqiLoQQG9gTQE4wuoa3uDJoBQYfz6CPVA4MEBNHryH0bhyphenhyphenEq-o2AEKNKnhRsWBVPEz6DM06TEJJ_-R3Kp_Brq8HNI7J_WsspwWAXuzl1UtYdu1eYXSPYX9GEskimzV80Qe3iM/s500/59043523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG0ptmCiyc9QHpkkzagCLT2hLuCsTcNyE7_V_nTuxsf5m9u3lNAN17pnqiLoQQG9gTQE4wuoa3uDJoBQYfz6CPVA4MEBNHryH0bhyphenhyphenEq-o2AEKNKnhRsWBVPEz6DM06TEJJ_-R3Kp_Brq8HNI7J_WsspwWAXuzl1UtYdu1eYXSPYX9GEskimzV80Qe3iM/s320/59043523.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60471.Coming_Home?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=AaaQkNSZs8&rank=2" target="_blank">Coming Home</a></b> by Roasmunde Pilcher</div><div><br /></div><div>My first book of 2024, Rosamunde Pilcher's chunky WWII novel proved to be the perfect kickoff for the new year. Buddy reading with <a href="http://tinaculbertson.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Tina</a> added to the fun and our daily email exchange was the best! I've been a Pilcher fan for decades, but had never read this 1995 gem. As always, I loved her characters and descriptions but, for such a long novel, this was a real page-turner, too. After over 950 pages, I still wasn't ready to leave the world Pilcher created and couldn't bring myself to pick up another book for days. <i>Coming Home</i> has earned a spot on my favorites shelf and will certainly appear on my Best of 2024 list.</div><div>⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Currently reading//</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5b2_u50ejnA6QnAUL_flBC60rMpcyzMoSTEwXLKMmkiGYXTSCPvEONPUZMd_d_jRtB97Kgj5N02Ch6GkKwWrqyRW7aH9CYRcryqF1_vhxjwotkDCsSyvUX4JFVmEuMOsvQdRF5NGdQym7V6nILJIYBGtyTQIIGlUa1clrI1sg0wkgwdiRtCeXSg7-OP4/s400/60417438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5b2_u50ejnA6QnAUL_flBC60rMpcyzMoSTEwXLKMmkiGYXTSCPvEONPUZMd_d_jRtB97Kgj5N02Ch6GkKwWrqyRW7aH9CYRcryqF1_vhxjwotkDCsSyvUX4JFVmEuMOsvQdRF5NGdQym7V6nILJIYBGtyTQIIGlUa1clrI1sg0wkgwdiRtCeXSg7-OP4/s320/60417438.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60417438-the-personal-librarian">The Personal Librarian </a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Personal-Librarian-Audiobook/0593409701?ref_pageloadid=Zn1qHAWm7wHeHnfB&ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_0593409701_0&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=NQSDRADP76MG33JXEQCE&pageLoadId=Vyow5ZUxwt69yOG6&creativeId=4ee810cf-ac8e-4eeb-8b79-40e176d0a225" target="_blank">audio edition</a> narrated by Robin Miles</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My current read is the February selection for both the <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">MMD book club</a> and our library's book discussion group. In addition, Marie Benedict is the next speaker in Sanibel Public Library's <a href="https://sanlib.org/author-series/" target="_blank">Author Series</a> and I was luck enough to get a ticket in the lottery! I'm at the halfway point now and enjoying this as a read/listen combination. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Up next//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODJoA6eDvo_h5nALHVXebeTwgTUTXiaEY56UL5iaqhWOVdv_1rsWr0GvBDSTKSr7bfYoSTAXjwGuIsWlcnTkjywm2_Urd08zNl_4MwY5zRhZxBHz8hXhVJCJva7yCSjRMwsWSM8q1-3U_6nR4stPMxFrEFTCYNQOHeKOoXnmQTlJNKt26lM9nQdQpi6Q/s446/60207762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODJoA6eDvo_h5nALHVXebeTwgTUTXiaEY56UL5iaqhWOVdv_1rsWr0GvBDSTKSr7bfYoSTAXjwGuIsWlcnTkjywm2_Urd08zNl_4MwY5zRhZxBHz8hXhVJCJva7yCSjRMwsWSM8q1-3U_6nR4stPMxFrEFTCYNQOHeKOoXnmQTlJNKt26lM9nQdQpi6Q/s320/60207762.jpg" width="201" /></a></div></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>I plan to pick up <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60207762-belle-greene" target="_blank">Belle Greene</a></i> by Alexandra Lapierre, translated by Tina Kover next. This book is the MMD flight pick for February. I think it will be interesting to compare these two works of historical fiction about the same person - J.P. Morgan's personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">In the kitchen//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy609jQwewK3JG2q8ne68rkaoTfQBsDz3cPRVvXUu4cRNEYBVJJFXkmHdebPwEZ9b2ymg6hWEtrtnIYJEwOMqrGn6lRBvJSKWb8ssQMyvcALUGUutzrJUNDivt14Zo9OVo_Pz2_bbbmdDF-hWKLpSCtlhkR3Xw8MtF33KcGlz7AfNg-22t1MRDppiauQ/s1600/baked-pineapple-salmon-4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy609jQwewK3JG2q8ne68rkaoTfQBsDz3cPRVvXUu4cRNEYBVJJFXkmHdebPwEZ9b2ymg6hWEtrtnIYJEwOMqrGn6lRBvJSKWb8ssQMyvcALUGUutzrJUNDivt14Zo9OVo_Pz2_bbbmdDF-hWKLpSCtlhkR3Xw8MtF33KcGlz7AfNg-22t1MRDppiauQ/s320/baked-pineapple-salmon-4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Salmon regularly appears in our dinner rotation, mostly because it's so good for you. But, in all honesty, I don't like it all that much. Last week I tried this <a href="https://chefjar.com/pineapple-salmon/" target="_blank">Baked Pineapple Salmon </a> from <i>Chef Jar</i> and it's a game-changer. I prefer my salmon cooked more thoroughly than is often recommended, so set the temperature to 400 degrees rather than 375 and gave it a few extra minutes in the oven. I've already shared this recipe with my daughter and sister... it's now my favorite way to prepare salmon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The week ahead//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our oldest daughter and her fiancé will visit for a long weekend to celebrate her birthday. It's been a year since their last trip to FL, so I'll be curious to hear their assessment of the island's progress since Hurricane Ian. I think they'll be surprised at how far we've come. Can't wait to see them! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How was your week? What have you been reading?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPFlN0mSC8MtgiVyIlKzFdpjDhK0VPYi10AU43XwopMwYdV2C2CXJABpHkNMq2Y2AXFmUoshQKEASQuk6X5hO3eH0TYQzzSSxXuOb0PXPVSwUml_RVVrEGnhQhxnhrVj0zMLDJ4xBjrKs5-E2YVcoiPt3axVEmSgEMOcviTDYkHqz5xauzfCS3aDFjMA/s250/SundaySalon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPFlN0mSC8MtgiVyIlKzFdpjDhK0VPYi10AU43XwopMwYdV2C2CXJABpHkNMq2Y2AXFmUoshQKEASQuk6X5hO3eH0TYQzzSSxXuOb0PXPVSwUml_RVVrEGnhQhxnhrVj0zMLDJ4xBjrKs5-E2YVcoiPt3axVEmSgEMOcviTDYkHqz5xauzfCS3aDFjMA/w200-h200/SundaySalon.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBIFevrffjb3zhDa-_15u4w2COMjyokEfP5xh-vf_GAXWOsxKEQxB1Jt7dlz4jZ7eh9hEIYkuc0awYnFsOZn1qYdQjniAkR3oWaXlTzIyRkghzEZ6mRVHbTqyh8HAWmzMY7F9Y8ahjKdZTO5G-jRQYDQAcP9aflC_7fPpr1u7tEwEHXH_pn6B6jLgzHU/s362/0c602-it2527s2bmonday25212bwhat2bare2byou2breading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="362" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBIFevrffjb3zhDa-_15u4w2COMjyokEfP5xh-vf_GAXWOsxKEQxB1Jt7dlz4jZ7eh9hEIYkuc0awYnFsOZn1qYdQjniAkR3oWaXlTzIyRkghzEZ6mRVHbTqyh8HAWmzMY7F9Y8ahjKdZTO5G-jRQYDQAcP9aflC_7fPpr1u7tEwEHXH_pn6B6jLgzHU/w200-h181/0c602-it2527s2bmonday25212bwhat2bare2byou2breading.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at <a href="https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-sunday-salon-drawing-class-annie.html" target="_blank">Readerbuzz.</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at <a href="https://thebookdate.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Book Date</a>.</i></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p></div></div>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-9129572196109263712024-01-14T15:26:00.001-05:002024-01-14T15:26:34.133-05:00My Year in Books: 2023 Reading Reflections and 2024 Intentions<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggihtANRtMHvWdKIQ9lngiVt9aoBWnvKyv80GPGHr4h3xP5v3vq6JjH_xITEZaI5Qi0pqsbHN7Y1wTGQIcQIhP55_eIMV_pbSwBDL8r-vz9wE1JpXnbw4jqq0laaJkU7_zz9F1da2Ph58xR-EZFco4OrEw_m9vodrHgoTWRimbGe9Fo32bzbhxhw3whlo/s612/istockphoto-1644523247-612x612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="612" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggihtANRtMHvWdKIQ9lngiVt9aoBWnvKyv80GPGHr4h3xP5v3vq6JjH_xITEZaI5Qi0pqsbHN7Y1wTGQIcQIhP55_eIMV_pbSwBDL8r-vz9wE1JpXnbw4jqq0laaJkU7_zz9F1da2Ph58xR-EZFco4OrEw_m9vodrHgoTWRimbGe9Fo32bzbhxhw3whlo/w400-h265/istockphoto-1644523247-612x612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Before we get too much deeper into January, I'd like to share my 2023 reading reflections and lay out some intentions for the year ahead.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, 2023 proved to be a better year for us than 2022. We began to recover from Hurricane Ian, spent a lot of time with family, celebrated one daughter's wedding (and have another to look forward to in 2024), and gained a wonderful son-in-law. On the reading front, it was a very satisfying year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>By the numbers:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">48 books read - lower than my usual one book per week </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">79% fiction, 21% nonfiction - the downward trend for nonfiction continues</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">69% female authors, 31% male</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">67% new-to-me authors, 33% repeat authors </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">rereads: 8%, much higher than usual</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">in translation: 8%</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">classics: 13%</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"big books" over 400 pages: 23%</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">average rating: 4.2</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Format:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">58% read/listen combination </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">27% print</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">15% audio </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Source:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">42% own </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">31% library</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">27% own + library (for read/listen combos) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Shortest book / Longest book</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>The Shortest Day </i>by Colm Toibin, 31 pages</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Lonesome Dove</i> by Larry McMurtry 964 pages</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImjdoAjmPXayKKrenP5wXCaP-z8syhM8zul8QL7pxyIfjuSECdiftFDpSGH_Ww57aTuWB9W161xHTzmIbm9j4HyakBiewovFH_WDof_2TUvXTxJCATc_FcBk90oDURATYyDBQ7Tmhe6MqGHOZXn_ouTCOjxheE5LlsweJqVMx6iUm2QnwTD0N7DjnYkA/s346/56346987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="227" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImjdoAjmPXayKKrenP5wXCaP-z8syhM8zul8QL7pxyIfjuSECdiftFDpSGH_Ww57aTuWB9W161xHTzmIbm9j4HyakBiewovFH_WDof_2TUvXTxJCATc_FcBk90oDURATYyDBQ7Tmhe6MqGHOZXn_ouTCOjxheE5LlsweJqVMx6iUm2QnwTD0N7DjnYkA/s320/56346987.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>2023 SUCCESSES</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Read/listen combinations:</b> These continue to account for the majority of my reading and I tried to get an audio copy of every book I read. I primarily read one book at a time and love listening to my current read while walking. Total listening time, however, was down this year due to recurrent knee injuries.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Reading big books:</b> Setting a lower goodreads goal in 2023 allowed me the freedom to read long books without worrying about overall numbers. Nearly 25% of the books I read were over 400 pages.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>A loose monthly reading plan:</b> This was my second year of using a loose monthly reading plan. Having a list of "possibilities" worked well, and I gave myself permission to stray from it occasionally.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Joining the <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">Modern Mrs. Darcy</a> book club:</b> I joined MMD in May for the summer reading guide, then decided to stick around. I've enjoyed most of the selections (a couple ended up on my <a href="http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2024/01/my-year-in-books-2023-favorites.html" target="_blank">list of favorites</a>), along with the author chats, book discussion forums, and events. The <i>Lonesome Dove</i> community/buddy read was a highlight of the year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INTENTIONS FOR 2024</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Opt out of the goodreads challenge.</b>.. at least for now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Lean into big books:</b> 2023 reminded me how much I love getting lost in sprawling novels, so my first book of 2024, and still my current read, is the 977-page<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60471.Coming_Home" target="_blank"> Coming Home</a></i> by Rosamunde Pilcher. It's excellent!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Make a priority TBR list:</b> My goodreads tbr (to be read) list is ridiculously long. I've decided to keep a much shorter, fluid "priority" list to consult as I plan monthly reading possibilities.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2024/01/my-year-in-books-2023-favorites.html" target="_blank">My Year in Books: 2023 Favorites</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I look forward to sharing another year of books and reading with you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-72062212250816374462024-01-10T16:41:00.001-05:002024-01-10T16:43:37.575-05:00My Year in Books: 2023 Favorites<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're well into 2024 and I'm finally getting to my 2023 wrap-up posts. I'll list my favorite books today, then look at statistics, reflections, and resolutions over the weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, 2023 was a very good reading year. I was slightly off my usual pace of one book per week, but that was mostly due to reading some really long books. (I'm looking at you, <i>Lonesome Dove</i>!) I did not consider rereads when choosing my favorites, but <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> would certainly be here otherwise. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">FICTION FAVORITES</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdCl1ybqIRZSLyMospegdBH16vza2W94A43LwYnxVc8ivjFucpee4MDUhVdcMTbfjUf2CkfpsuZx83RpSO6OJMUcMmAAq7z2VQCW7wWm_8ZZUJzdX8_9jbS7gNNlDmIJ_IPrdJZIRFRSrAkKk9lpk6qn5tNXABVTnhx8oqzVVfO7_ziTeBTfOurTSOjs/s978/63241104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="648" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdCl1ybqIRZSLyMospegdBH16vza2W94A43LwYnxVc8ivjFucpee4MDUhVdcMTbfjUf2CkfpsuZx83RpSO6OJMUcMmAAq7z2VQCW7wWm_8ZZUJzdX8_9jbS7gNNlDmIJ_IPrdJZIRFRSrAkKk9lpk6qn5tNXABVTnhx8oqzVVfO7_ziTeBTfOurTSOjs/s320/63241104.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63241104-tom-lake?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=lZ786cfDFi&rank=2" target="_blank">Tom Lake</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> by Ann Patchett</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">(read/listen combination)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vtKWfjWynVupcD0S91mFyaWU8FMW0pxdfO75QXt-c-FDxTMrNgVP1aHJa3d46dLev7aYf-W5kayYCoUZBLFuoalURMoLXvDgrYt7kBjF6-ael3iwWa2hAy8UDpaksb6a3565Q6xMi5sDRvEO5GX4-xKZaWUh0yI9Qt1oZdpgZaEdYCEw4cJUX_-HiHs/s2852/57693566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2852" data-original-width="1875" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vtKWfjWynVupcD0S91mFyaWU8FMW0pxdfO75QXt-c-FDxTMrNgVP1aHJa3d46dLev7aYf-W5kayYCoUZBLFuoalURMoLXvDgrYt7kBjF6-ael3iwWa2hAy8UDpaksb6a3565Q6xMi5sDRvEO5GX4-xKZaWUh0yI9Qt1oZdpgZaEdYCEw4cJUX_-HiHs/s320/57693566.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57693566-the-latecomer?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_13" target="_blank">The Latecomer</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> by Jean Hanff Korelitz</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">(read/listen combination)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9v9pUu0HUlCiJA9vrzNWmIaJZzvaVPDLUrRnVxuJtf2X9FmV8df-zYzyuP8KK5AgV1z7L_Fii8rXz5bQesgcyVgljctIdeL2_UY6jkiPY_TLuMcI7B2hjikZztutstizf9-G4Q7ajbGrKlIp33HU7a5Os3rofG3sj7U7ZAoLWSavVcydT2HDW-qgjC6w/s1520/58210933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1520" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9v9pUu0HUlCiJA9vrzNWmIaJZzvaVPDLUrRnVxuJtf2X9FmV8df-zYzyuP8KK5AgV1z7L_Fii8rXz5bQesgcyVgljctIdeL2_UY6jkiPY_TLuMcI7B2hjikZztutstizf9-G4Q7ajbGrKlIp33HU7a5Os3rofG3sj7U7ZAoLWSavVcydT2HDW-qgjC6w/s320/58210933.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58210933-trust?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_5" target="_blank">Trust</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> by Hernan Diaz</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">(read/listen combination)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKDY1WCxUdQehSvEVI66_sIh4djcw_uLwiPX14ELOxdBnX3nq9z4qDL_-idFOUhszuJmF9wqJjKLK5Cs9AMnsnDmGlp8kG75Ot6K6OsfPxP36LZLRPKZkLKIDyS8aGQTMtBQgVMqBl82e5xVAWxck7123RjGKb3JihURZWV9s7rgR-iVK_nVqCxO87XY/s500/58671203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="331" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKDY1WCxUdQehSvEVI66_sIh4djcw_uLwiPX14ELOxdBnX3nq9z4qDL_-idFOUhszuJmF9wqJjKLK5Cs9AMnsnDmGlp8kG75Ot6K6OsfPxP36LZLRPKZkLKIDyS8aGQTMtBQgVMqBl82e5xVAWxck7123RjGKb3JihURZWV9s7rgR-iVK_nVqCxO87XY/s320/58671203.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58671203-chorus?ref=nav_sb_ss_4_6" target="_blank">Chorus</a></b> by Rebecca Kauffman</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(read/listen combination)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Oh7Wcs8Xa9DqXN5iy8dgaA7Z8Rs2anLWDaalMt9jjCvu5rL6e0pNBvM8SRw_3UDMgdTpcnYH8zTjGrUroZny5H7r3z_h-UEdtwSloLMEaNIsDYcxqxOEM69hawg6BMAI5K3KTBp2BeEc430EbtasmVR609xPINfEML7tH4-07pDad2dmEpuOmNIyAiE/s378/63880836.jpg.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Oh7Wcs8Xa9DqXN5iy8dgaA7Z8Rs2anLWDaalMt9jjCvu5rL6e0pNBvM8SRw_3UDMgdTpcnYH8zTjGrUroZny5H7r3z_h-UEdtwSloLMEaNIsDYcxqxOEM69hawg6BMAI5K3KTBp2BeEc430EbtasmVR609xPINfEML7tH4-07pDad2dmEpuOmNIyAiE/s320/63880836.jpg.png" width="216" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63880836-the-postcard?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_12" target="_blank"><b>The Postcard</b> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">by Anne Berest, translated by</span> <span style="text-align: left;">Tina Kover</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">(read/listen combination)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiht58oD40hJKPeQ4OvUMWEx4XVp5F_6TeZNYkvoaqFSL20BxSFtN7SO0eQzen5YUPqNXJYiLPibzW3Xqt8URHlthhnHWCiyBajX5iZQ3bDM60_7MhArL5uxtNgcygCEqeZhQ-XeQ7JA617MNaEkGL8OO2oDEJvJ4_zE-uxPuPeq9G6dRjskiyMUGKfLq4/s346/56346987.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="227" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiht58oD40hJKPeQ4OvUMWEx4XVp5F_6TeZNYkvoaqFSL20BxSFtN7SO0eQzen5YUPqNXJYiLPibzW3Xqt8URHlthhnHWCiyBajX5iZQ3bDM60_7MhArL5uxtNgcygCEqeZhQ-XeQ7JA617MNaEkGL8OO2oDEJvJ4_zE-uxPuPeq9G6dRjskiyMUGKfLq4/s320/56346987.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56346987-lonesome-dove" target="_blank">Lonesome Dove</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> by Larry McMurtry</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">(read/listen combination)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTL1hyKpRFKo0V7BYdN9Qs9S2CnlyR_jnzhNwR93hR71BZXzR_J6MRfLCKr1E3-AGNc6_5vyrTnT9xpadth7NJeEkO-Gi7TjvjEQr6omXIsy9FFxXoGZ8IVkq2bit36Vmv4-2sMsYT4rqy8t4360f4RuosqZGr98ugeIxZFB49-6OlBiEV3G-9wPyZMlM/s1000/76990876.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="644" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTL1hyKpRFKo0V7BYdN9Qs9S2CnlyR_jnzhNwR93hR71BZXzR_J6MRfLCKr1E3-AGNc6_5vyrTnT9xpadth7NJeEkO-Gi7TjvjEQr6omXIsy9FFxXoGZ8IVkq2bit36Vmv4-2sMsYT4rqy8t4360f4RuosqZGr98ugeIxZFB49-6OlBiEV3G-9wPyZMlM/s320/76990876.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76990876-the-road-to-dalton?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_15" target="_blank">The Road To Dalton</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> by Shannon Bowring</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">(print only)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-wolQXClkwaFo15yuvpokNPCILDVOkhM9dFInOUESsQqxpvIcQhC9dRsmT6bWIffR2wxkt3HJPrtEApyEy_lQRFPLSrpa6APy_jKv4HLyIOj1CJYwiaIZ62hk4scGx1fz2tXHajC3_CFHds3qWe5NA2oPtIXGfGuzEJn6yXcSyiZ2ZXlUGT5zFXCLTw/s400/123033397.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-wolQXClkwaFo15yuvpokNPCILDVOkhM9dFInOUESsQqxpvIcQhC9dRsmT6bWIffR2wxkt3HJPrtEApyEy_lQRFPLSrpa6APy_jKv4HLyIOj1CJYwiaIZ62hk4scGx1fz2tXHajC3_CFHds3qWe5NA2oPtIXGfGuzEJn6yXcSyiZ2ZXlUGT5zFXCLTw/s320/123033397.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123033397-day?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_11" target="_blank">Day</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> by Michael Cunningham</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">(print only)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Honorable Mention</span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60194162-demon-copperhead?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_16" target="_blank">Demon Copperhead</a></b> by Barbara Kingsolver</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/180357146-the-covenant-of-water?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_14" target="_blank">The Covenant of Water</a></b> by Abraham Verghese</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61771675-hello-beautiful?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_15" target="_blank">Hello Beautiful</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> by Ann Napolitano</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62949050-pete-and-alice-in-maine?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_12" target="_blank">Pete and Alice in Maine</a></b> by Caitlin Shetterly</span></div></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">NONFICTION FAVORITES</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQKiPMIah5t_6dLT0hKpSejyr-6_vMjhEFAhpHVX_4oRnshFQuk-m5OYdkRg4f_-7vQC5kqCLkABuUQnA3Osf0Cn3TOvJOuM4ce90eD5SxrOGIVCaQ4wtKYvjVdBqTm6JRHDm4ly_uGMx2wdmMUwyRqBgb17P8d-qikMEhycZVYYUWFNIXZHriYBGYOg/s400/62047958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQKiPMIah5t_6dLT0hKpSejyr-6_vMjhEFAhpHVX_4oRnshFQuk-m5OYdkRg4f_-7vQC5kqCLkABuUQnA3Osf0Cn3TOvJOuM4ce90eD5SxrOGIVCaQ4wtKYvjVdBqTm6JRHDm4ly_uGMx2wdmMUwyRqBgb17P8d-qikMEhycZVYYUWFNIXZHriYBGYOg/s320/62047958.jpg" width="212" /></a></div></b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62047958-nine-black-robes?ref=nav_sb_ss_5_10" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b>Nine Black Robes</b></a><span style="text-align: left;"> by Joan Biskupic</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">(read/listen combination)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC52TWyfcToaCrMbMXFy5TI_Q_VKxxcUwRKl5Hes_cWla9V4rBubyYP5hBeKRh4o1nUaG-4s5oMGw7o4NdawF0Pp8n7EPNpokcWMQFYRMmbQM4V6kMFIoAp1JoXkXzgOovCO4iT2Mh42cC5ZVNFygUSqyA5h7hL8EHrqGiPdGtB7JjSNMOt-FfmeVcGek/s2093/59366223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2093" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC52TWyfcToaCrMbMXFy5TI_Q_VKxxcUwRKl5Hes_cWla9V4rBubyYP5hBeKRh4o1nUaG-4s5oMGw7o4NdawF0Pp8n7EPNpokcWMQFYRMmbQM4V6kMFIoAp1JoXkXzgOovCO4iT2Mh42cC5ZVNFygUSqyA5h7hL8EHrqGiPdGtB7JjSNMOt-FfmeVcGek/s320/59366223.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59366223-the-great-displacement?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_22" target="_blank">The Great Displacement: Climate Change and the Next American Migration</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">by Jake Bittle</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">(read/listen combination)</span></div><p></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-34844787273631407772024-01-07T13:53:00.001-05:002024-01-07T13:53:52.535-05:00December Reading Wrap-Up and A Plan for January<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKJDgZg4VYqziO3bbG0zoT9Zp1BiralUarZiNMtwj01Ylm8sg0EvBuFZUD0ivZCVDAhjx2CFWHvzZswAJrwH5NB2DsT5MKzuQrXbjqGw8CPJf-E29-aZ9wIHUfYxXPVI7elIOKxGWFCI__m5dbDlTEq5KB_QbanGajnfKDWto5VD0Btq3uQq4kAIldkQ/s4032/IMG_0757.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKJDgZg4VYqziO3bbG0zoT9Zp1BiralUarZiNMtwj01Ylm8sg0EvBuFZUD0ivZCVDAhjx2CFWHvzZswAJrwH5NB2DsT5MKzuQrXbjqGw8CPJf-E29-aZ9wIHUfYxXPVI7elIOKxGWFCI__m5dbDlTEq5KB_QbanGajnfKDWto5VD0Btq3uQq4kAIldkQ/w300-h400/IMG_0757.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello, friends. After a holiday season filled with family and fun, we are <i>finally </i> back in Florida. This is the longest we've been away in nearly a decade and it feels great to be on the island again. We are pleasantly surprised by the progress that has been made since we left at the end of May. There's still a very long way to go, but Sanibel is coming back strong!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been a few weeks since my last post and there's a lot to talk about this time of year. December turned out to be an excellent reading month, so I'll begin with a wrap-up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Books Read in December//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939353-lillian-boxfish-takes-a-walk?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=fwwbN5Hfoy&rank=1" target="_blank">Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk</a></b> by Kathleen Rooney </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">literary fiction, reread,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55203166-the-shortest-day?ref=nav_sb_ss_3_12" target="_blank">The Shortest Day</a></b> by Colm Toibin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> short story/novella, audio, ⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123033397-day?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_11" target="_blank">Day</a></b> by Michael Cunningham</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">literary fiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55333768-joan-is-okay?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_8" target="_blank">Joan Is Okay</a></b> by Weike Wang</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">fiction, read/listen combination, ⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60139504-how-to-keep-house-while-drowning?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_11" target="_blank">How to Keep House While Drowning</a></b> by K.C. Davis </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">nonfiction, ⭐⭐⭐ (I'm an outlier, most readers love this one.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59808611-if-i-survive-you?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_8" target="_blank">If I Survive You</a></b> by Jonathan Escoffery </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">literary fiction, Booker Prize shortlist 2023, read/listen combination, ⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101146034-one-woman-show?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_14" target="_blank">One Woman Show</a></b> by Christine Coulson </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">literary fiction, novella, read/listen combination, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">January Reading Plan//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDIaIOabOQMgYlW-X_m0EbsGK9ZWM939twUtpsLMm9y6a2kHMtLuLHUUJjqk7BlNBhldoC-tNCedK3VBozFtPaEG99-DyTFTBG8hlags5P8MCeJr-lWKqc-QnamX4XIjKz9XUWeJDk0XC_Lfm3GiNphX0g1tPOIu6GYsPI98rOBoXI_rEohbkBdTkWSU/s500/59043523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDIaIOabOQMgYlW-X_m0EbsGK9ZWM939twUtpsLMm9y6a2kHMtLuLHUUJjqk7BlNBhldoC-tNCedK3VBozFtPaEG99-DyTFTBG8hlags5P8MCeJr-lWKqc-QnamX4XIjKz9XUWeJDk0XC_Lfm3GiNphX0g1tPOIu6GYsPI98rOBoXI_rEohbkBdTkWSU/s320/59043523.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59043523-coming-home" target="_blank">Coming Home</a> </b>by Rosamunde Pilcher</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love Pilcher's novels and am starting the year with this 900+ page chunkster. Buddy reading with <a href="http://tinaculbertson.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Tina</a> is adding to the fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHS7CeSSlkQTmixH1UGPPc6w3dRfjBZMvcHmiffDRJMUgRPX4HKvg-X9yS-pTb099-qb2iIj_qAO-1DaN3Bc3MxkBGQYocmZ82eaySeDYD0ndg4kbcUGVX6raThNCAnf4_C9_jARAwk591vg_PnIeXjy-tYNptR9LkskaX4G0RX5lqSTlX6Z8f3Z4x1kM/s2775/55333938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="1838" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHS7CeSSlkQTmixH1UGPPc6w3dRfjBZMvcHmiffDRJMUgRPX4HKvg-X9yS-pTb099-qb2iIj_qAO-1DaN3Bc3MxkBGQYocmZ82eaySeDYD0ndg4kbcUGVX6raThNCAnf4_C9_jARAwk591vg_PnIeXjy-tYNptR9LkskaX4G0RX5lqSTlX6Z8f3Z4x1kM/s320/55333938.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55333938-the-personal-librarian?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_22" target="_blank">The Personal Librarian </a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next up will be February selection for the <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">Modern Mrs. Darcy</a> book club. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Posts to Write//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My Favorite Reads of 2023</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2023 Reflections and 2024 Game Plan</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overdue Reviews</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Also in January//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now that we're back home, we can resume our Hurricane Ian repairs. There are also friends and neighbors to catch up with, postponed appointments to reschedule, and as many sunsets at the beach as possible!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope 2024 is off to a good start for you. What have you been reading lately?</div><br /> <p></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-51950822948905241872023-12-21T11:17:00.001-05:002023-12-21T11:19:25.734-05:00A Quick Update Before the Holidays Begin<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyJJDbV6wYRxQGvNzT_eyKi_kgV-luQJSw_wVDcx8tJEFoUqLYrMh-O5LqGEBEBszzc0ZCjAnMW0DUspV3ysdYYUMd4_1atiLStC1h6db43azYUWzeO7G1_f5AaZaA7vi39Sa5SsUrlrsvmj4KMDb1gY01XA6t4d389uk4MPtkgi6Zmunt_O8O7CC0kE/s4032/IMG_0563.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyJJDbV6wYRxQGvNzT_eyKi_kgV-luQJSw_wVDcx8tJEFoUqLYrMh-O5LqGEBEBszzc0ZCjAnMW0DUspV3ysdYYUMd4_1atiLStC1h6db43azYUWzeO7G1_f5AaZaA7vi39Sa5SsUrlrsvmj4KMDb1gY01XA6t4d389uk4MPtkgi6Zmunt_O8O7CC0kE/w300-h400/IMG_0563.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello, friends. The holidays are about to begin and before things get too crazy, I wanted to post a quick update. Last weekend our daughter and her fiancé were here for an early Christmas celebration. We had a wonderful weekend which included a drive to see the<a href="https://www.lobstertraptree.com" target="_blank"> Lobster Trap Christmas Tree</a> in Stonington, CT. It was such an unusual and beautiful sight!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm also happy to report that the bathroom remodel was indeed completed on time. It looks beautiful, but this was a little too close for comfort. We literally had just a few hours to spare! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later today our daughter and son-in-law, along with Winnie the whippet, arrive for an extra long weekend. Then my SIL will be here tomorrow. Here we go...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Recent Reading//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-p2dqhcpREPnsZ9-2QN8frUnxuDMwxU_dcBXfi87ufnWnsxyVKck21QMwKssrUNdDlwltFhrAzvLfhAFP0NsEKcF2DLqERPk4ObTkkxFhP1KShmvUpHw3kDHSwiSOCx_FlQvM_XYP6_ZwOj53w_IxmQ5QAqfeGB5aWXw1pf3x2sHC0DU2awvgQ0D8QI/s2475/55333768.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-p2dqhcpREPnsZ9-2QN8frUnxuDMwxU_dcBXfi87ufnWnsxyVKck21QMwKssrUNdDlwltFhrAzvLfhAFP0NsEKcF2DLqERPk4ObTkkxFhP1KShmvUpHw3kDHSwiSOCx_FlQvM_XYP6_ZwOj53w_IxmQ5QAqfeGB5aWXw1pf3x2sHC0DU2awvgQ0D8QI/s320/55333768.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55333768-joan-is-okay" target="_blank">Joan is Okay</a></b> by Weike Wang</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This is the January selection of the <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com/home/" target="_blank">MMD</a> book club, but overall not an especially memorable or impactful read for me. ⭐⭐⭐</div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9-aMUPnLWBqb_j45TntkySvLAKuLL-lNTv__-iOBXZyvjd5GNzaCVYf9WzipistCpKfz3nepvXqmBkxcLIHHZp_gKtZrlCICyd7aegZQZ9sOaCbAt5xyDD_IuDkgSru5R1TrItY9inqe5xNYvHvDEdLk-Kle-l-qSafjeI3ygFhI8_pNRxiMwjVnPpg/s1944/60139504.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="1399" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9-aMUPnLWBqb_j45TntkySvLAKuLL-lNTv__-iOBXZyvjd5GNzaCVYf9WzipistCpKfz3nepvXqmBkxcLIHHZp_gKtZrlCICyd7aegZQZ9sOaCbAt5xyDD_IuDkgSru5R1TrItY9inqe5xNYvHvDEdLk-Kle-l-qSafjeI3ygFhI8_pNRxiMwjVnPpg/s320/60139504.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60139504-how-to-keep-house-while-drowning?ref=nav_sb_ss_3_9" target="_blank">How to Keep House While Drowning</a></b> by K.C. Davis</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This book is the January "flight selection" at MMD. It's a short, quick nonfiction read and I did find some valuable takeaways. Most people seem to love this one, but I'm probably not the target audience.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Current Reading//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWLBD9DgDc6h-mpyUW9IrIsDwLVf9vzTtUPvyYH3_HyLMMfwnUVylKxXkMolYQS_9l5D7cMk1gQp38faYTiqrIdjGe6XleujNGkCBsX1jxXEuBAxLyKzF2HFjl2tXQozGrNM-9U3uBU2fkn2sQjQiSYSEsoR7l2TLw2qR4LqHI_xtgjWY6k0Ulo0q0EQ/s400/59808611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="261" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWLBD9DgDc6h-mpyUW9IrIsDwLVf9vzTtUPvyYH3_HyLMMfwnUVylKxXkMolYQS_9l5D7cMk1gQp38faYTiqrIdjGe6XleujNGkCBsX1jxXEuBAxLyKzF2HFjl2tXQozGrNM-9U3uBU2fkn2sQjQiSYSEsoR7l2TLw2qR4LqHI_xtgjWY6k0Ulo0q0EQ/s320/59808611.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59808611-if-i-survive-you" target="_blank">If I Survive You</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Jonathan Escoffery, narrated by Torian Brackett</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This book was nominated for most of the 2022-2023 prizes, but it was <a href="https://bookchase.blogspot.com/2023/11/if-i-survive-you-jonathan-escoffery.html" target="_blank">Sam's review</a> that convinced me to give it a try... and I'm so glad I did! It's a read/listen combination and the <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/If-I-Survive-You-Audiobook/B09QB5R8DX?eac_link=gvV2Kg8xN1Rm&ref=web_search_eac_asin_2&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B09QB5R8DX&qid=svfziZDOUL&eac_id=142-9753096-5173902_svfziZDOUL&sr=1-2" target="_blank">audio</a> is definitely adding to my overall experience. (It's available on hoopla.) I'm hoping to finish later today and will end up rating it at least 4 stars.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The week ahead//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We'll relax for a couple of days after Christmas before finally heading back to Florida! I'll be back here in early January with my yearly wrap-up post and list of favorites... and I'm already looking forward to reading yours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wishing you all a peaceful holiday season and a happy, healthy 2024!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFnRgwUhACwcYPx1_PluW6WecQYq4rNCpRyuxTQHUhNp8W44ARRl7SdUo9RAEU8slPAx5KJCX34iESJI1pCjm3cIlEvJ-qprKD4xZOOFt_VVpCivpcjO9fLhzlJR4eD0Lk-c6aNxuVfrz_KDg6kz-4hAhv7Q40JEWvlNmhDwF7Um35gKjWo9WT1ZqVsk/s4032/IMG_0568.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFnRgwUhACwcYPx1_PluW6WecQYq4rNCpRyuxTQHUhNp8W44ARRl7SdUo9RAEU8slPAx5KJCX34iESJI1pCjm3cIlEvJ-qprKD4xZOOFt_VVpCivpcjO9fLhzlJR4eD0Lk-c6aNxuVfrz_KDg6kz-4hAhv7Q40JEWvlNmhDwF7Um35gKjWo9WT1ZqVsk/w300-h400/IMG_0568.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-83634723271744962012023-12-10T12:19:00.004-05:002023-12-10T12:24:09.147-05:00The Sunday Salon: Reading and Remodeling<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jQEqfdnzUa0rPW9xcgi3SLieAD1q1afPU-ZTGbTrKKsNM9kNcK_yTFGuwQnp5HZ1oYBH2b1JU5kfDDVZmW7nYxHP2NiJoZKTv_2KP5cPCa1mANsEjmHyhJ_8WiLJj7QXuKuMG-Wn7D_DDwx93Fs4uW6gRnCr7dW8aUU3YNP4IDUBUYJPclkygUXDYhU/s4032/IMG_0228.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jQEqfdnzUa0rPW9xcgi3SLieAD1q1afPU-ZTGbTrKKsNM9kNcK_yTFGuwQnp5HZ1oYBH2b1JU5kfDDVZmW7nYxHP2NiJoZKTv_2KP5cPCa1mANsEjmHyhJ_8WiLJj7QXuKuMG-Wn7D_DDwx93Fs4uW6gRnCr7dW8aUU3YNP4IDUBUYJPclkygUXDYhU/w400-h300/IMG_0228.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello, friends! It's a rainy day in CT. We're expecting very heavy rain, strong winds, and possible coastal flooding later this afternoon and into tomorrow. I'm keeping a close eye on the timing since we were hoping to go to New Haven for a performance of Handel's Messiah later on. We'll see...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The bathroom remodel is moving right along and we're very happy with the progress. They have been working six days a week (surprisingly labor intensive for such a small space) and we expect to be finished on Thursday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, more time at home with contractors has meant more reading time. I'll have to worry about finishing my shopping later...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Recent reading//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7qJ1lEr7xaHYTvc0C8E8K_24K0e-8E1A3KaT-Zm-WLhW-EpPkyK5wKeKcqY6kSf5vBnzdwNvzEUN9sqf5urHImvRUSP_kmXkf3RV2yzdztmAdri1iAdNIlkDShdB91pK-NWbGvxU8YQwhqFGbO9tUoTVBqcAElR3UfLTiW3_HD7yH3cJu4_6DOYfG10/s500/61jrneDaZML._SL500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7qJ1lEr7xaHYTvc0C8E8K_24K0e-8E1A3KaT-Zm-WLhW-EpPkyK5wKeKcqY6kSf5vBnzdwNvzEUN9sqf5urHImvRUSP_kmXkf3RV2yzdztmAdri1iAdNIlkDShdB91pK-NWbGvxU8YQwhqFGbO9tUoTVBqcAElR3UfLTiW3_HD7yH3cJu4_6DOYfG10/w320-h320/61jrneDaZML._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55203166-the-shortest-day?ref=nav_sb_ss_4_13" target="_blank">The Shortest Day </a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Colm Toibin, narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This short story, set in Ireland, is based on an actual mystical occurrence. Each year on the morning of the winter solstice, the ancient burial chamber at <a href="https://www.newgrange.com" target="_blank">Newgrange</a> briefly fills with light. Toibin has written a slightly magical tale based on local lore. It can be listened to in about an hour and is available free in the <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Shortest-Day-Audiobook/1799700100?eac_link=J8mo86C8dTnu&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=1799700100&qid=kMepddnFRI&eac_id=142-9753096-5173902_kMepddnFRI&sr=1-1" target="_blank">audible plus catalog</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLbrsFE91rHzCMqI81bfawS0e_6JDcXUViPeaxE5DyVuCe3r-9lxYGkWrgdO8p_d8wRPoPquWxKi1V2rUmD-SfeX9ELAjN98Yn8wCRmV7Hhofbyzcb4XZAnTJim0eB7EG5wEYnY4Fhguy1fuk9yDX9WOIXSJzQ-duM2hi-Ahkyx4RINTqgaV-f3kVIpk/s400/123033397.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLbrsFE91rHzCMqI81bfawS0e_6JDcXUViPeaxE5DyVuCe3r-9lxYGkWrgdO8p_d8wRPoPquWxKi1V2rUmD-SfeX9ELAjN98Yn8wCRmV7Hhofbyzcb4XZAnTJim0eB7EG5wEYnY4Fhguy1fuk9yDX9WOIXSJzQ-duM2hi-Ahkyx4RINTqgaV-f3kVIpk/w268-h400/123033397.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123033397-day?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_11" target="_blank">Day</a></b> by Michael Cunningham</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">"The only problem with Michael Cunningham’s prose is that it ruins you for mere mortals’ work. He is the most elegant writer in America." </blockquote><p>Those are the opening lines of Ron Charles' <i>Washington Post </i>book review<i>, </i>and I think he nailed it. Cunningham's writing <i>is</i> remarkable! In fact, I started this book as a read /listen combination and almost immediately returned the audio. I wanted to savor Cunningham's words on the page. And the story and characters are every bit as good as the writing. If you're up for a pandemic novel, check it out. I rated this 4.5 stars and hope to write a more complete review later this week.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Current Reading//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2roM5qBa5dEYhAfGsu9v18vSLUA6zNCx7VvRlhHiZMyoUR1PABSTUIN9EXunXAUgdERPUdhpdoWMmLdOOjSD18KS6KpCBR1m2sK3L7CsIHZZFDUQgcAKSuvqgJvPH8sFdTqfK0jjqPycS4BYQg-hmF4pEB5-7Row4ClX3QnXghw3BKFBXWWjzWVCTPpM/s2475/55333768.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2roM5qBa5dEYhAfGsu9v18vSLUA6zNCx7VvRlhHiZMyoUR1PABSTUIN9EXunXAUgdERPUdhpdoWMmLdOOjSD18KS6KpCBR1m2sK3L7CsIHZZFDUQgcAKSuvqgJvPH8sFdTqfK0jjqPycS4BYQg-hmF4pEB5-7Row4ClX3QnXghw3BKFBXWWjzWVCTPpM/s320/55333768.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55333768-joan-is-okay" target="_blank">Joan is Okay</a> </b>by Weike Wang</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the January selection for the <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">MMD</a> book club. I'm nearly halfway through, but don't have much to say about it yet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On the blog//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2023/12/thoughts-on-lillian-boxfish-takes-walk.html" target="_blank">Thoughts on LILLIAN BOXFISH TAKES A WALK by Kathleen Rooney</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Week Ahead//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I <i>should </i>spend a day or two finishing Christmas shopping, but instead I'll be home waiting for the countertop install, painter, electrician, and plumber. Looks like it'll be quick dinners and some evening shopping instead... but I may finish a book or two!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Assuming we finish the bathroom on schedule, we'll celebrate an early Christmas with our daughter and her fiancé next weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How was your week? What have you been reading?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHmqdVCGN407gLk9c2eI4w3ag75IO2GkAzF1rNp1XDWsTIhtNIT8XTC2gwtKMVUKRpIX9A2h0h-hxHo0ZfYYkBovgAifdmeiVpOyD_atZEUZE8YvJlwo0L3XDqppzQa1QpMMVwbgTPIb780tCZ1ZcaVGIYAKnKuGt6wNd_z8x-N12dkoGCUVN8STO-Ts/s250/SundaySalon.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHmqdVCGN407gLk9c2eI4w3ag75IO2GkAzF1rNp1XDWsTIhtNIT8XTC2gwtKMVUKRpIX9A2h0h-hxHo0ZfYYkBovgAifdmeiVpOyD_atZEUZE8YvJlwo0L3XDqppzQa1QpMMVwbgTPIb780tCZ1ZcaVGIYAKnKuGt6wNd_z8x-N12dkoGCUVN8STO-Ts/w200-h200/SundaySalon.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4e9KZe2bAkZ3q_q7U8-Oap6z3rAnLHHzrphclHU5hyphenhyphenmO1efNTvezeeG7UNAkOqVA0E_-Qj2vLFVa3UcMVS2O-Cg2OmM5tkqhNvHmaeNlQskLtZSnIFayAHLjIM26XTb-FGhvY4xnOoQorB-6AMwwqrLZdU1bEImxdPb4-I5uhZFz_ep9TAgJOJ_d8pw0/s362/0c602-it2527s2bmonday25212bwhat2bare2byou2breading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="362" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4e9KZe2bAkZ3q_q7U8-Oap6z3rAnLHHzrphclHU5hyphenhyphenmO1efNTvezeeG7UNAkOqVA0E_-Qj2vLFVa3UcMVS2O-Cg2OmM5tkqhNvHmaeNlQskLtZSnIFayAHLjIM26XTb-FGhvY4xnOoQorB-6AMwwqrLZdU1bEImxdPb4-I5uhZFz_ep9TAgJOJ_d8pw0/w200-h181/0c602-it2527s2bmonday25212bwhat2bare2byou2breading.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at <a href="https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-sunday-salon-because-of-winn-dixie.html" target="_blank">Readerbuzz</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at <a href="https://thebookdate.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Book Date</a>.</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-10480689199354443052023-12-09T08:54:00.002-05:002023-12-09T08:55:21.689-05:00Thoughts on LILLIAN BOXFISH TAKES A WALK by Kathleen Rooney<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I reread <b>Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk</b> last week. It was just as good the second time around. Here is my original review from April 2017.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivys2ddj4LrZed3zMR8CxUWWtkIudcW5B48PVEws_yUN-penT2DroqeQo7uqJuDKX-lQfcS4m3VGqDfrUbeiaO7ei72Q8ZdewfWeeEcRx5e-3DMpVj5WwbpXMPCjiXiZm8ZCjzTOQmiK_Viy5hPLhsUf4fUr1GQl4QukJYU_2jr509FrA7zWceoOnkKK4/s400/FullSizeRender-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivys2ddj4LrZed3zMR8CxUWWtkIudcW5B48PVEws_yUN-penT2DroqeQo7uqJuDKX-lQfcS4m3VGqDfrUbeiaO7ei72Q8ZdewfWeeEcRx5e-3DMpVj5WwbpXMPCjiXiZm8ZCjzTOQmiK_Viy5hPLhsUf4fUr1GQl4QukJYU_2jr509FrA7zWceoOnkKK4/w400-h400/FullSizeRender-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939353-lillian-boxfish-takes-a-walk?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=aKglBvhK2N&rank=1" target="_blank">Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk</a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Kathleen Rooney</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">St. Martin's Press, 2017</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">287 pages</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Summary:</b> (from goodreads)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It’s the last day of 1984, and 85-year-old Lillian Boxfish is about to take a walk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As she traverses a grittier Manhattan, a city anxious after an attack by a still-at-large subway vigilante, she encounters bartenders, bodega clerks, chauffeurs, security guards, bohemians, criminals, children, parents, and parents-to-be—in surprising moments of generosity and grace. While she strolls, Lillian recalls a long and eventful life that included a brief reign as the highest-paid advertising woman in America—a career cut short by marriage, motherhood, divorce, and a breakdown.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A love letter to city life—however shiny or sleazy—<i>Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk</i> by Kathleen Rooney paints a portrait of a remarkable woman across the canvas of a changing America: from the Jazz Age to the onset of the AIDS epidemic; the Great Depression to the birth of hip-hop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My thoughts:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meandering, thoughtful, light on plot. <i>Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk</i>, a novel about a woman and the city she cherishes, is truly a delightful read.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I opened the book, discovered endpapers imprinted with a map of Manhattan detailing Lillian's journey, and instantly fell in love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On New Year's Eve in 1984, 85-year-old Lillian Boxfish takes a long walk around Manhattan. From her Murray Hill apartment, to Battery Park, St. Vincent's Hospital, and eventually Macy's in Herald Square, with stops at restaurants, a bodega, a house party in Chelsea, and Penn Station, the walk chronicles her interactions with old friends and random strangers, as well as her ruminations on life and the city she loves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not all that much actually happens in this novel, but Lillian's interactions with clerks, restaurant patrons, and would-be muggers will make you laugh and may even bring a tear to your eye. I especially enjoyed her reflections on career (she was a Macy's advertising executive in the 1930s), love, marriage, and motherhood.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the way, Lillian Boxfish is loosely based on the life of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Fishback" target="_blank">Margaret Fishback</a>. Don't miss the author's note at the end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Pearls of wisdom from Lillian:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“No one survives the future.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Time only goes in that one direction.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Any day you walk down a street and find nothing new but nothing missing counts as a good day in a city you love.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Here’s some free advice: Make an honest assessment of the choices you’ve made before you look askance at somebody else’s.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“The point of living in the world is just to stay interested.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“If you love something, know that it will leave on a day you are far from ready.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“... my true religion is actually civility. Please note that I do not call my faith “politeness.” That’s part of it, yes, but I say civility because I believe that good manners are essential to the preservation of humanity— one’s own and others’— but only to the extent that that civility is honest and reasonable, not merely the mindless handmaiden of propriety.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My rating:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</b></div></div><p><br /> </p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-2654325619950464182023-12-03T11:59:00.006-05:002023-12-03T12:02:26.665-05:00November Reading Wrap-up and Possibilities for December<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmOehlGSm9TgI00mNEXn1aajoEie8jr-aXwAJWnrJ_3ozcK4DaTsdw7DGIOK972hZGqhmHliFg1kEgjl30n-my9DHN37Dcm8XpZR9xY29U0yUuONdiCx2AxRqk0WwE8CP7vAWti8Sa1YUV95Xo1BlRsvjyDX6lAj2Ub_ooD604ZvJwV36KzOS3L3mWlQ/s3589/IMG_0381.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3589" data-original-width="2692" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmOehlGSm9TgI00mNEXn1aajoEie8jr-aXwAJWnrJ_3ozcK4DaTsdw7DGIOK972hZGqhmHliFg1kEgjl30n-my9DHN37Dcm8XpZR9xY29U0yUuONdiCx2AxRqk0WwE8CP7vAWti8Sa1YUV95Xo1BlRsvjyDX6lAj2Ub_ooD604ZvJwV36KzOS3L3mWlQ/w300-h400/IMG_0381.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello friends, and Happy December! Time seems to be moving even more quickly now and 2024 will be here before we know it. But November did leave us with happy memories. Highlights include my husband's birthday celebration, our nephew's wedding, a long Thanksgiving weekend with the family, and a 38th anniversary dinner at our favorite restaurant. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">November was a good reading month, too. I managed to finish four books... but that was only because two were novellas!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Books Read in November//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="789" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmGWjuBffhsKjWeIhocRnX-lLtZX4twMANCE5LEhz9e76BmXTKM6KI7dy_tA4FggsUZBtHbTn0d8ymuh5N5GCRctiwSkOWjvMqmYPrNhGdNeCABW4IJ0OHBxA7DUGpr7ji8_U0lVo3eFzV1TfkEKUML1ZAco_gHAQ6cBMPzxO8vgfWDhbEf4MWcZDQrU/w210-h320/59468833.jpg" width="210" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59468833-the-english-understand-wool?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_23" target="_blank">The English Understand Wool</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> by Helen DeWitt</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐⭐ novella</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnkrdnLcw3pPwDgyICczM4BM6aTSYa5WsGutK3-Qdn5QX07aYXNydz4zSElRFKzHQt432FW0VNEaqkM-CLZbDu9PUOR6t331HCxm5BzRClEuiTV-RMEmG75o_i-TSE6dpGFwjMaCbOARYLh5w_MdkuE0xtmgZDDDIn88u2LTpxrB39SrZ7vRUc5FNSH0/s400/30962053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="263" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnkrdnLcw3pPwDgyICczM4BM6aTSYa5WsGutK3-Qdn5QX07aYXNydz4zSElRFKzHQt432FW0VNEaqkM-CLZbDu9PUOR6t331HCxm5BzRClEuiTV-RMEmG75o_i-TSE6dpGFwjMaCbOARYLh5w_MdkuE0xtmgZDDDIn88u2LTpxrB39SrZ7vRUc5FNSH0/s320/30962053.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30962053-the-idiot?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_9" target="_blank"><b>The Idiot</b></a> by Elif Batuman</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">⭐⭐⭐💫 literary fiction, coming-of-age</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(<a href="http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2023/11/thoughts-on-idiot-by-elif-batuman.html" target="_blank">my review</a>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhguDqiCVcGAaZokOHOU7Jt5-jKoqMGwB8XcOyK_DYTWzZobltqMLG6Jjnot6bjXJOQt8CHzP3AOPK7RPCD1sSab9mv9obz1ACSG5b5y9sipb2bgt7gubjPWPA88wLup_R-aT75HvcYGTN3q_dkaouGkQaOd1QRz40hHjctBgCfJecumTe-orEL9jj4JE/s258/10306358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="160" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhguDqiCVcGAaZokOHOU7Jt5-jKoqMGwB8XcOyK_DYTWzZobltqMLG6Jjnot6bjXJOQt8CHzP3AOPK7RPCD1sSab9mv9obz1ACSG5b5y9sipb2bgt7gubjPWPA88wLup_R-aT75HvcYGTN3q_dkaouGkQaOd1QRz40hHjctBgCfJecumTe-orEL9jj4JE/s1600/10306358.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13318653-we-the-animals" target="_blank">We the Animals</a></b> by Justin Torres</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">⭐⭐⭐⭐ novella, literary fiction, backlist</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXYmXMGlxncYzSLQvKknBWZ317JVBtL3qDNB-_uNELM-bkw2HZhTHTWtPoj5LyUnmfD9xCpstzLRgBAEr8otcBq-UVnpZj6BI5XMpy_kzujAt5Fuwri7ZNYvVqw_4Eb2VJeHpx3Q1yA83XHLZBWwzj2G8UZyOmvJTUVNfhwx35VIWBedRvLOEdkTn8Eg/s500/41gOAP0kjbL._SL500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXYmXMGlxncYzSLQvKknBWZ317JVBtL3qDNB-_uNELM-bkw2HZhTHTWtPoj5LyUnmfD9xCpstzLRgBAEr8otcBq-UVnpZj6BI5XMpy_kzujAt5Fuwri7ZNYvVqw_4Eb2VJeHpx3Q1yA83XHLZBWwzj2G8UZyOmvJTUVNfhwx35VIWBedRvLOEdkTn8Eg/w200-h200/41gOAP0kjbL._SL500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Why-Fathers-Cry-at-Night-Audiobook/B0BJ13CCLF?ref_pageloadid=4z0CP7ykk23bDNkK&ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_B0BJ13CCLF_3&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=JBK6CN1NATMV8WJQ7AYJ&pageLoadId=JScp7BrWLRjzSjUW&ref_plink=not_applicable&creativeId=4ee810cf-ac8e-4eeb-8b79-40e176d0a225" target="_blank">Why Fathers Cry at Night: A Memoir in Love Poems, Recipes, Letters, and Remembrances</a> </b><span style="text-align: left;">by Kwame Alexander</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐⭐ nonfiction, audiobook </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Favorite November Read</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Why Fathers Cry at Night</b> by Kwame Alexander</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">December Reading Possibilities</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939353-lillian-boxfish-takes-a-walk?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_15" target="_blank">Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk</a></b> by Kathleen Rooney - reread, finished 12/2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123033397-day?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_8" target="_blank">Day</a></b> by Michael Cunningham - currently reading</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60853075-eastbound?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_9" target="_blank">Eastbound</a></b> by Maylis De Kerangal - <i>NYTimes</i> 2023 Top 10, audio on hoopla</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75665923-faking-christmas?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_16" target="_blank">Faking Christmas</a></b> by Kerry Winfrey - if I feel like a holiday romance </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59109077-horse?ref=nav_sb_ss_5_5" target="_blank">Horse</a></b> by Geraldine Brooks - on my TBR shelf</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55333768-joan-is-okay?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_8" target="_blank">Joan is Okay </a></b>by Weike Wang - MMD January selection</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60471.Coming_Home?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_11" target="_blank">Coming Home</a></b> by Rosamunde Pilcher - Pilcher is perfect for the holidays</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Also in December</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our upstairs bathroom remodel is underway, but should be finished within the next week and a half. Fingers crossed - we'll certainly need it by the 20th, but that gives us a week to spare. We also have the usual decorating, shopping (which we'll keep to a minimum) and baking ahead, plus a few other holiday activities. At the end of the month we'll visit my parents ... and then it will be time to head south!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How are you doing? What was your favorite November book?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbbPcMehZ4RyMg5fzOWHU9oyBkamBuWbCO1gwLQERFa56mKQ7-5MIQ7dm9lGE2a3JzhGXoieZl6QXnJDLhr2c3kt9DdPPNziKo9HbSzPzn-7ONYO4uyKvYS45JI55-yOQFi57GU0c093TkbYQUKDHoP_j6M1HcS2P9sV6gcIqe2vghyphenhyphenw2ManFX8mwzIM/s4032/IMG_7862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbbPcMehZ4RyMg5fzOWHU9oyBkamBuWbCO1gwLQERFa56mKQ7-5MIQ7dm9lGE2a3JzhGXoieZl6QXnJDLhr2c3kt9DdPPNziKo9HbSzPzn-7ONYO4uyKvYS45JI55-yOQFi57GU0c093TkbYQUKDHoP_j6M1HcS2P9sV6gcIqe2vghyphenhyphenw2ManFX8mwzIM/w400-h300/IMG_7862.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See you soon, Sanibel!😎</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><p></p><p><br /> </p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-92194916534427674392023-11-29T16:46:00.002-05:002023-11-29T21:30:37.440-05:00Thoughts on THE IDIOT by Elif Batuman<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ng8K3S6mmuohAX3hcU5FpUm6DtznCxyVY7vac5wOLVyulUqIwlfddCPhS6bKIJdkTOtYC49d5TvMFPYZu2lhGacMcC_omY9Bp8hWv7OGZREsLRjBF9pf96oMP8H5BacIc5Q16Jutz9viZpjBPEnoZz4lPManfgYKiEwgOKRkvO-P-GDKeGp0F8pbwM8/s400/35535660.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ng8K3S6mmuohAX3hcU5FpUm6DtznCxyVY7vac5wOLVyulUqIwlfddCPhS6bKIJdkTOtYC49d5TvMFPYZu2lhGacMcC_omY9Bp8hWv7OGZREsLRjBF9pf96oMP8H5BacIc5Q16Jutz9viZpjBPEnoZz4lPManfgYKiEwgOKRkvO-P-GDKeGp0F8pbwM8/w265-h400/35535660.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30962053-the-idiot?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_9" target="_blank">The Idiot</a></span></b> by Elif Batuman</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Penguin Press, 2017</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">423 pages</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Motivation for reading:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a book I pulled off the library shelf nearly a year ago during my inaugural "book sampling hour." Sitting in a comfy chair at our pleasantly cool library on a spring afternoon, I read 15-20 pages of several books, including <i>The Idiot</i>. I ended up choosing another book, but continued to think about this one and knew I would come back to it eventually.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Opening lines:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote>I didn't know what email was until I got to college. I had heard of email and knew that in some sense I would "have" it. "You'll be so fancy," said my mother's sister, who's married to a computer scientist, "sending your e, mails." She emphasized the "e" and paused before "mail."</blockquote></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My thoughts:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>The Idiot</i> is a coming-of-age story about the daughter of Turkish immigrants as she begins her freshman year at Harvard in 1995. It's a literary novel, cerebral and full of ideas... exactly what you might expect with a Harvard freshman protagonist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It turned out to be an unusual reading experience for me. Far from a page-turner, this book required more than my average amount of concentration. I was not especially drawn to the main character, didn't fully understand her, and yet was curious to see how her year would unfold. Additionally, I was never in a hurry to get back to this novel, but was happy to continue whenever I did. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was a read/listen combination for me, listening on my walks and reading at home. The audiobook is read by the author. Her narration was adequate, though not memorable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>The Idiot</i> is very well written and said to be autobiographical. It was nominated for both the Pulitzer Prize and Women's Prize for Fiction in 2018. Batuman has written other books, both fiction and memoir, and is a staff writer at <i>The New Yorker</i>.</div><div><br /></div>A sequel to <i>The Idiot</i>, entitled <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58890783-either-or?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_6" target="_blank">Either/Or</a></i>, picks up as the main character enters her sophomore year. In a smart marketing move, a sample is included at the end of the paperback edition. After reading it, I think I'll tag along for another year at Harvard.<div><br /><div><div><div><b>My rating:</b></div><div>⭐⭐⭐💫</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> <p></p></div></div></div>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-33463803256439039492023-11-19T10:31:00.001-05:002023-12-02T12:03:33.556-05:00A Pre-Thanksgiving Sunday Salon<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaY_Oo-U2Q-gO-2_zmbZvzB1Ql1yac0yQTEJijFWscKaSyP6HQSxxKCD1XS3_UfNmp9nYsWH5IZLAyyq8u4qkDeEV3jFBSKaUt1P8ZGZRwp7OCzWxugQNvbIuLLPS6xvOoaY6XZF64v_G7Y39xd7JG3Gw7vYp0LPS4bQfnkMLMAx1YpkK0rmDfKdRdgNM/s250/SundaySalon.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaY_Oo-U2Q-gO-2_zmbZvzB1Ql1yac0yQTEJijFWscKaSyP6HQSxxKCD1XS3_UfNmp9nYsWH5IZLAyyq8u4qkDeEV3jFBSKaUt1P8ZGZRwp7OCzWxugQNvbIuLLPS6xvOoaY6XZF64v_G7Y39xd7JG3Gw7vYp0LPS4bQfnkMLMAx1YpkK0rmDfKdRdgNM/w320-h320/SundaySalon.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello, friends and welcome to a pre-Thanksgiving edition of The Sunday Salon. It really doesn't seem possible that we are here already, does it? Do you have big plans for the holiday or are you looking forward to a quieter weekend? Our house will begin filling up on Tuesday and reach maximum capacity by Wednesday night when both NYC daughters with husbands/fiancés, our grandpup Winnie the Whippet, and a guest pup, Miss Moonshine, AKA Moonie, will all be in residence. My SIL has (wisely) opted for a nearby hotel!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are at home this weekend and resting up. Friday we went out to dinner in New Haven and to the combined Yale-Harvard Glee Club Concert. We did not attend "The Game" yesterday afternoon, but I did go to my fist post-pandemic library book sale. That was almost as good... plus I picked up five books!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOek3UxeGywbgRr_yZnxM9iVgpCDZ1MkUl9d-C7XxXoiWHSK9eCIK9XoIrJdZbspUTBVlC3djS9M8K-Ecm_30fyE8ldxOe6BOHMV_yM94GwlY5VPr7udJ4G7cikaHGBxbAVZTXQN48lNCIk0oERCg694dZwKRsqVJCA4obuEUsT15Yw6xZQj8Lf-7_WZc/s3887/IMG_0364.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3887" data-original-width="2915" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOek3UxeGywbgRr_yZnxM9iVgpCDZ1MkUl9d-C7XxXoiWHSK9eCIK9XoIrJdZbspUTBVlC3djS9M8K-Ecm_30fyE8ldxOe6BOHMV_yM94GwlY5VPr7udJ4G7cikaHGBxbAVZTXQN48lNCIk0oERCg694dZwKRsqVJCA4obuEUsT15Yw6xZQj8Lf-7_WZc/s320/IMG_0364.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today we are having brunch with friends, then attending a pre-holiday wine tasting at a local wine shop. On the reading front, I finished three books, including two novellas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Recent reading//</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxyEgQZ_0CK_vMxu5_mRH_gFaR4u94yhcQpJfRu65f8jZ8tCt0oHP5fySGa3qLOaH4lbG4AaCFbQqKItAkZ2c2UCe31DQ6ARZ6svgBXhLWCUE5erqfyKdm7FtHL2SxyUFjDXuZoU9oDwyrCVaPh-znUPbxydfkHKMHuAa26dZK6GgfuUb5lrwrdfzHW8/s1200/59468833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="789" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxyEgQZ_0CK_vMxu5_mRH_gFaR4u94yhcQpJfRu65f8jZ8tCt0oHP5fySGa3qLOaH4lbG4AaCFbQqKItAkZ2c2UCe31DQ6ARZ6svgBXhLWCUE5erqfyKdm7FtHL2SxyUFjDXuZoU9oDwyrCVaPh-znUPbxydfkHKMHuAa26dZK6GgfuUb5lrwrdfzHW8/s320/59468833.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59468833-the-english-understand-wool?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=3DsrBaQebZ&rank=1" target="_blank">The English Understand Wool</a></b> by Helen DeWitt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">An enjoyable novella (short story?) to read in a single sitting, this little book contains sparse prose, an intriguing storyline with a gentle mystery, and even a bit of humor. I first learned about it from <a href="https://www.thebookclubreview.co.uk" target="_blank"><i>The Book Club Review</i></a> podcast, then Ann Patchett mentioned it in her “New to You” Friday Instagram videos. I was happy to find the ebook available through my library! ⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsjSCQPp824Rh9oADAzaEIKO0rpEL6LuzEQs06-xohzjUAVcH6Z2YDZvsz3TfwG1v8bn9W1eQ0jFe9b-njm28R0b07-qvuBO6WER4V-zkzL3Iz8i44SX1gFGy_GbtFY-lRlk0nSkwFV8uQBgSd7ZmrpL8pmo1SswPy16pdMwLyj68s7lPlU0GleG7xik/s400/35535660.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsjSCQPp824Rh9oADAzaEIKO0rpEL6LuzEQs06-xohzjUAVcH6Z2YDZvsz3TfwG1v8bn9W1eQ0jFe9b-njm28R0b07-qvuBO6WER4V-zkzL3Iz8i44SX1gFGy_GbtFY-lRlk0nSkwFV8uQBgSd7ZmrpL8pmo1SswPy16pdMwLyj68s7lPlU0GleG7xik/s320/35535660.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30962053-the-idiot?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_9" target="_blank">The Idiot</a></b> by Elif Batuman</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I plan to write a review post about this litereary novel. I think that will help in sorting out my thoughts. In short, it's a coming-of-age story about the daughter of Turkish immigrants as she begins her freshman year at Harvard in 1995. It was nominated for the Pulitzer and Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2018. Look for a post in a week or so. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-EazuicMVvqJmfQmvf_igKQ5U0y7EgGNKiwPH-83YEqZppN4oy6fxRWlaK-BhYUNYPbb4ssGzvhXwjAPogmblP2quwwE5eg00emTmM7_iuLnRqbEi7BeIdTAJH9TvZjRJEdjtxK2z1badETVIhl61UkF9V6vW5Jm2aUX3iAWnljB6IwsbjcTNh4Y2IQ/s475/12309435.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-EazuicMVvqJmfQmvf_igKQ5U0y7EgGNKiwPH-83YEqZppN4oy6fxRWlaK-BhYUNYPbb4ssGzvhXwjAPogmblP2quwwE5eg00emTmM7_iuLnRqbEi7BeIdTAJH9TvZjRJEdjtxK2z1badETVIhl61UkF9V6vW5Jm2aUX3iAWnljB6IwsbjcTNh4Y2IQ/s320/12309435.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13318653-we-the-animals" target="_blank">We The Animals</a></b> by Justin Torres</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/We-the-Animals-Audiobook/B005I5TXZA?eac_link=NgVF3k1BokFE&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B005I5TXZA&qid=Q21fQgGGgk&eac_id=142-9753096-5173902_Q21fQgGGgk&sr=1-1" target="_blank">audiobook</a> narrated by Frankie J. Alvarez</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Justin Torres won the National Book Award last week for his new novel<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65215321-blackouts" target="_blank"> Blackouts</a></i>. That was not available from any of my libraries, but his 2011 semi-autobiographical debut novel was. The audio was also available in the audible plus catalog. At under 130 pages, it qualifies for<a href="https://746books.com/2023/10/26/novellas-in-november-where-to-post-your-links/" target="_blank"> Novellas in November</a> which I seem to be unofficially participating in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;">This novel is beautifully written and quite sad. It's one I'll continue to think about about, and I have a feeling my rating will increase over time. ⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Current Reading//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3AHKU_MqysesRoools3yEt_3DpMJ807PUZDiXXeatgRrLF2mWZB0xl2p-_o_4PoUe_JhsB5XNg55GdkEAZhgxRRlAkwCYB5_S2yKRJpG-jmYJxmHku30gaRzXsPUBC1K0iir5UyvggfeTFOoIVBnNWtWqjjo5_eGScUvrCQPxg-YqmyZfKD6QEThhEo/s1461/29939353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1461" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3AHKU_MqysesRoools3yEt_3DpMJ807PUZDiXXeatgRrLF2mWZB0xl2p-_o_4PoUe_JhsB5XNg55GdkEAZhgxRRlAkwCYB5_S2yKRJpG-jmYJxmHku30gaRzXsPUBC1K0iir5UyvggfeTFOoIVBnNWtWqjjo5_eGScUvrCQPxg-YqmyZfKD6QEThhEo/s320/29939353.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939353-lillian-boxfish-takes-a-walk?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_11" target="_blank">Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk</a> </b>by Kathleen Rooney</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was a 5-star read for me back in 2017 and now it's the December selection of the <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">Modern Mrs. Darcy </a>book club. I just started my reread yesterday and, so far, it is every bit as good as I remembered.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNH0muYeHrEG7VgewnrjwgJmcYc4D3VC2sStmFXu5oGoY_YC6MQwQ-ZjbdaG2H0H2gpFfTzE4ADdl0KnQIEFeuOwMpsoiGytiaRo8ZcsQksU37r-iiapNZYOYQHCAS9ffgCW7NntFoH36ZdXBbaNeiq6gXADzu6qMMmI3de92q2CZoMGtPDqQSVL9XVts/s500/41gOAP0kjbL._SL500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNH0muYeHrEG7VgewnrjwgJmcYc4D3VC2sStmFXu5oGoY_YC6MQwQ-ZjbdaG2H0H2gpFfTzE4ADdl0KnQIEFeuOwMpsoiGytiaRo8ZcsQksU37r-iiapNZYOYQHCAS9ffgCW7NntFoH36ZdXBbaNeiq6gXADzu6qMMmI3de92q2CZoMGtPDqQSVL9XVts/w320-h320/41gOAP0kjbL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Why-Fathers-Cry-at-Night-Audiobook/B0BJ13CCLF?eac_link=jpTNNmnF75l1&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B0BJ13CCLF&qid=Ak6f2xBbSE&eac_id=142-9753096-5173902_Ak6f2xBbSE&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Why Fathers Cry at Night: A Memoir in Love Poems, Recipes, Letters, and Remembrances</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">by Kwame Alexander, narrated by the author</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I learned about this memoir from author and Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander through the MMD Summer Reading Guide. A month or so ago I picked it up as a daily deal from Audible. I started listening to it on my walk yesterday. Very good, so far.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">On the blog//</span></b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2023/11/nonfiction-november-week-3-book-pairings.html" target="_blank">Nonfiction November Week 3: Book Pairings</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2023/11/nonfiction-november-my-year-in.html" target="_blank">Nonfiction November: My Year in Nonfiction</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Week Ahead//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">... will likely be a busy one. I'd like to wish all of you a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving holiday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at <a href="https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2023/11/the-sunday-salon-tearing-up-roads.html" target="_blank">Readerbuzz</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at <a href="https://thebookdate.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Book Date</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-70515390991387661412023-11-14T16:36:00.001-05:002023-11-14T16:39:35.956-05:00Nonfiction November Week 3: Book Pairings<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUUhYLWnygdB4Qme5AoHCTqHA-rQtWqLmwzU2MLkD6uB_1z8yfk3K6iHqTP6udDnQ72tUQA-Zhvd89qWHj6Fzxj74AJzEQuHngPrKloE-ZJMy9dMN0DUJUKZALnl5VeHbmvHyKOGIzoi8NbMYh2UzCu0jC_bvxXBLXMLKZ9JOGoTgpLAZFV1xpVP8ouA/s640/nonficnov23%20week%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUUhYLWnygdB4Qme5AoHCTqHA-rQtWqLmwzU2MLkD6uB_1z8yfk3K6iHqTP6udDnQ72tUQA-Zhvd89qWHj6Fzxj74AJzEQuHngPrKloE-ZJMy9dMN0DUJUKZALnl5VeHbmvHyKOGIzoi8NbMYh2UzCu0jC_bvxXBLXMLKZ9JOGoTgpLAZFV1xpVP8ouA/w400-h225/nonficnov23%20week%203.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Nonfiction November</span></b> continues this week with Book Pairings. Our host is Liz at <a href="https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2023/11/13/nonfiction-november-week-3-book-pairings/" target="_blank">Adventures in reading, running and working from home</a> and this is the prompt:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote>This week, pair up a nonfiction book with a fiction title. Maybe it’s a historical novel and the real history in a nonfiction version, or a memoir and a novel, or a fiction book you’ve read and you would like recommendations for background reading. You can be as creative as you like! You can feel free to use books you’ve read any time in this last year or whenever.</blockquote></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My book pairing this year deals with<span style="font-size: medium;"> <b>Climate Change</b></span>... a topic that became a reality in my life on September 28, 2022 when Hurricane Ian devastated Sanibel Island, Florida.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vMXcND_uV5F0PMgJRDvZUKw3feYOi4gKWLYbNWjODwTOIt9LR4n9XS7-e1Ph0R9tSb2krKE3YuYZtNozIr9WVLx3O3387SURrjb0zDh_dbDaAXHUsDabz9vXq-7WPAhNufcBvuircR7PIQII2cPOpR3-W01t-iBewdyL6CI04vyuSbttm6zX8_Cp7kA/s2093/59366223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2093" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vMXcND_uV5F0PMgJRDvZUKw3feYOi4gKWLYbNWjODwTOIt9LR4n9XS7-e1Ph0R9tSb2krKE3YuYZtNozIr9WVLx3O3387SURrjb0zDh_dbDaAXHUsDabz9vXq-7WPAhNufcBvuircR7PIQII2cPOpR3-W01t-iBewdyL6CI04vyuSbttm6zX8_Cp7kA/s320/59366223.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59366223-the-great-displacement?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=LTnhBx4qcl&rank=1" target="_blank">The Great Displacement: Climate Change and the Next American Migration</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Jake Bittle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This nonfiction title was a 5-star read for me and will easily make my list of favorite books of 2023. My review is<a href="http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/search?q=The+great+displacement" target="_blank"> here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4xnj6nJUfmtqu3t8x-UtEuaRovfbCR79ElpltSxgt4NzMF5tzrEoh6sHz-VPZIy5roqdNx7c7z-m4CptoJSTTbh_OqWyauBm-olCsgHvotj5pF_XeRVBeKep4QDf4SgDbJHVtgqUoRBoWtYjWXaeu_bqCuLvwnGtTNu7VlIaU3iy3n0EE3ogDmtiGUk/s1192/60468332.jpg.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="784" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4xnj6nJUfmtqu3t8x-UtEuaRovfbCR79ElpltSxgt4NzMF5tzrEoh6sHz-VPZIy5roqdNx7c7z-m4CptoJSTTbh_OqWyauBm-olCsgHvotj5pF_XeRVBeKep4QDf4SgDbJHVtgqUoRBoWtYjWXaeu_bqCuLvwnGtTNu7VlIaU3iy3n0EE3ogDmtiGUk/s320/60468332.jpg.png" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60468332-the-light-pirate?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_16" target="_blank">The Light Pirate</a></b> by Lily Brooks-Dalton</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cli Fi seems to be a popular micro-genre at the moment, but I can't quite summon the courage to read this novel... yet. It is a nominee for the 2023 Goodreads Choice Award in the Science Fiction category and comes highly recommend by my friend <a href="https://lesleysbooknook.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Les</a>. You can read her review <a href="https://lesleysbooknook.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-light-pirate.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I'm planning to read it next year, after a little more time has passed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Last Week's Nonfiction November post:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2023/11/nonfiction-november-my-year-in.html" target="_blank">Nonfiction November Week 1: My Year in Nonfiction</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-78124001934709566162023-11-07T15:42:00.000-05:002023-11-07T15:42:51.008-05:00Nonfiction November: My Year in Nonfiction<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4ffZ-2_Edi4PbZI0hU0uEokhGxwC-OHuftrhNVEzf0nIgPwM4tDVEeOXbauwRMqcX-qvrxFXS6qGDWZrmRYUyabGa8XetGuGykZ7ckCI6PKqpU18eA2h1UNuRPkeneS0cClNveOq76gYvuiZMJR8Vs2sbwl2apWaR-4G9J5caCRIGj9xJoXi8EHyuI4/s332/Unknown.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="152" data-original-width="332" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4ffZ-2_Edi4PbZI0hU0uEokhGxwC-OHuftrhNVEzf0nIgPwM4tDVEeOXbauwRMqcX-qvrxFXS6qGDWZrmRYUyabGa8XetGuGykZ7ckCI6PKqpU18eA2h1UNuRPkeneS0cClNveOq76gYvuiZMJR8Vs2sbwl2apWaR-4G9J5caCRIGj9xJoXi8EHyuI4/w400-h184/Unknown.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Nonfiction November</span></b> is back and already underway! We're into Week 2 now, but I'm late to the party and this is the Week 1 prompt. The host was Heather from <a href="https://www.spiritblog.net/my-year-in-nonfiction-2023-2/" target="_blank">Based on a True Story</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><b>MY YEAR IN NONFICTION</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, my nonfiction numbers are down this year. After hitting an all-time high of 42% nonfiction in 2019, it has been decreasing steadily. For the past several years, nonfiction has accounted for 30-35% of my reading. This year it has only been 22%. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Preferred reading format//</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I read nonfiction, of course, but I also love listening to it. Memoirs narrated by the author are the best! Having both an audiobook and a print copy is ideal. That way, I never miss out on photographs, maps, charts, or recipes. With a read/listen combination, I usually listen on my morning walks and read in the late afternoon or evening. Occasionally I'll even read and listen at the same time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>What I'm reading about this year//</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've read mostly memoirs this year, but also a couple of books about the Supreme Court and one on climate change. Noticeably absent this year are books about social justice, race relations, history, and biographies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>My Book List</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61423850-justice-on-the-brink" target="_blank">Justice on the Brink: A Requiem for the Supreme Court</a></i> by Linda Greenhouse</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50130587-becoming-duchess-goldblatt?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_17" target="_blank">Becoming Duchess Goldblatt: A Memoir</a></i> by Duchess Goldblatt/ Anonymous</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39872.Encyclopedia_of_an_Ordinary_Life?ref=nav_sb_ss_4_13" target="_blank">Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life</a></i> by Amy Krouse Rosenthal</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34845395-i-know-why-the-caged-bird-sings" target="_blank">I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings </a></i>by Maya Angelou</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37569338-how-to-be-a-good-creature?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_16" target="_blank">How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals </a></i>by Sy Montgomery</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62047958-nine-black-robes?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_16" target="_blank">Nine Black Robes</a></i> by Joan Biskupic</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59366223-the-great-displacement?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_22" target="_blank">The Great Displacement: Climate Change and the Next American Migration </a></i>by Jake Bittle</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54330.On_Hitler_s_Mountain?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=z00s1j1PrC&rank=1" target="_blank">On Hitler's Mountain: Overcoming the Legacy of a Nazi Childhood</a> </i>by Irmgard A. Hunt</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12752313-lots-of-candles-plenty-of-cake?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_14" target="_blank">Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake</a></i> by Anna Quindlen (reread)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b> NONFICTION FAVORITES OF 2023</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>(listed in the order I read them)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDJ7fG2mahIhzrfKo_ctIFjJ4G1diFrWTrOZ_gPMTwAh3_JLO0Uln_zCZG4kwm9TKsLZlaoAmr9JzqSyYr6AyIygG3RzRNFZlmk0sTibvkXFCN-13NnfCsfSYFSSKYGi40FKGUSm8CjMGTBbt3vzUXvdrRRMlOy_UbcVZ3yhEbguBp-wvJeqESa909wo/s500/34845395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="332" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDJ7fG2mahIhzrfKo_ctIFjJ4G1diFrWTrOZ_gPMTwAh3_JLO0Uln_zCZG4kwm9TKsLZlaoAmr9JzqSyYr6AyIygG3RzRNFZlmk0sTibvkXFCN-13NnfCsfSYFSSKYGi40FKGUSm8CjMGTBbt3vzUXvdrRRMlOy_UbcVZ3yhEbguBp-wvJeqESa909wo/s320/34845395.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34845395-i-know-why-the-caged-bird-sings" target="_blank">I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings </a></b><span style="text-align: left;">by Maya Angelou</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah_Cg6shNgrUXPVGbNt0Xbd1fL9RfoG-OnmVTnNsDy-7JLnEl5eH71rjAvewCrXeVXquUL5ksYfpYJDTYMAwB39mpRkG9Js9ZJBKWVUuZkWrdHnV3VmFQD_YAZepWT_ds6wCFPtuHOhab84-bSM9qPAz-DePrgT80-_eK4Du_KFl7Pq9-ABxr1TFnW-U/s400/62047958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah_Cg6shNgrUXPVGbNt0Xbd1fL9RfoG-OnmVTnNsDy-7JLnEl5eH71rjAvewCrXeVXquUL5ksYfpYJDTYMAwB39mpRkG9Js9ZJBKWVUuZkWrdHnV3VmFQD_YAZepWT_ds6wCFPtuHOhab84-bSM9qPAz-DePrgT80-_eK4Du_KFl7Pq9-ABxr1TFnW-U/s320/62047958.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62047958-nine-black-robes?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_16" target="_blank">Nine Black Robes</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> by Joan Biskupic</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6D9mouWWzf1vae04R0qcOmcNZ5NuQ9k-3SBOn-wAB_fy0Q4w8qTIKpqzE4krV97p0xevfxDWs5ZT6gPHF305B8sRi2iZ-JKk6G2Y2qm_t1wOHbK36pb1M8qAhyGxjAvuGPWKAAfTi6RwWpEMcFFW4eGVzEqlmOMH70PSvKi4Uf3W5Ig0JLvP5R1qdls/s2093/59366223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2093" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6D9mouWWzf1vae04R0qcOmcNZ5NuQ9k-3SBOn-wAB_fy0Q4w8qTIKpqzE4krV97p0xevfxDWs5ZT6gPHF305B8sRi2iZ-JKk6G2Y2qm_t1wOHbK36pb1M8qAhyGxjAvuGPWKAAfTi6RwWpEMcFFW4eGVzEqlmOMH70PSvKi4Uf3W5Ig0JLvP5R1qdls/s320/59366223.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59366223-the-great-displacement?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_22" target="_blank">The Great Displacement: Climate Change and the Next American Migration</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">by Jake Bittle</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQZsmqabABjZmdrgDN3aboeNV4crKoJAYd_sKdR4X8O_CaXTXJ_T6DGvJ9aOyE-HdiD5pv6EgFGNBVSFUoIp-d0KVClOKv6MaSUIjPuooQX1X5V0lwQnsm-9q_NzO-a4nlPGckE5gYcBBIfqfFqat-mBzMZ8CmjIHwVZ-oItPRLFtJ6fHqB6TVwms_NE/s466/12752313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQZsmqabABjZmdrgDN3aboeNV4crKoJAYd_sKdR4X8O_CaXTXJ_T6DGvJ9aOyE-HdiD5pv6EgFGNBVSFUoIp-d0KVClOKv6MaSUIjPuooQX1X5V0lwQnsm-9q_NzO-a4nlPGckE5gYcBBIfqfFqat-mBzMZ8CmjIHwVZ-oItPRLFtJ6fHqB6TVwms_NE/s320/12752313.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12752313-lots-of-candles-plenty-of-cake?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_14" target="_blank">Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> by Anna Quindlen</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>My goal for Nonfiction November//</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This year, like every other year, my goal is to learn about interesting nonfiction titles I may have missed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What are your nonfiction favorites of 2023?</div><div><br /></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-8550651475765418342023-11-05T06:55:00.000-05:002023-11-05T06:55:45.674-05:00October Reading Wrap- Up and Plans for November <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HiIkcr0hbnvgyM6KLFNrqeixtXi9FovoxOArDzenNbDYt78DJg7nrdUq0cczLC-Ege4rsBjzFCPv05XM7ruX8SGdHV0A06wJRBRU4il-GAibb8UbthciZbxWE-hjZmDtlolwJWDtgGzZmJuQL2eEkCo2zV1Z5bK-ywiOQDBoH66VwnzLHuFBiPHDDk8/s4032/IMG_9895.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HiIkcr0hbnvgyM6KLFNrqeixtXi9FovoxOArDzenNbDYt78DJg7nrdUq0cczLC-Ege4rsBjzFCPv05XM7ruX8SGdHV0A06wJRBRU4il-GAibb8UbthciZbxWE-hjZmDtlolwJWDtgGzZmJuQL2eEkCo2zV1Z5bK-ywiOQDBoH66VwnzLHuFBiPHDDk8/w400-h300/IMG_9895.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Hello from Connecticut, where fall colors are fading fast and leaves continue to fall from the trees. October ended on such a high note, and now November is here. Our daughter's wedding last weekend was positively magical! We should have photos to share soon... we're waiting on the official proofs and our phone photos have yet to be approved. This weekend we are recharging at home before the November flurry of activity begins.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Surprisingly, October turned out to be a great month on the reading front, too. I read a total of seven books (unusually high for me) two of which were very short audios.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Books Read in October//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91274427-what-you-are-looking-for-is-in-the-library?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_13" target="_blank">What You Are Looking For Is in the Library</a> </b>by Michiko Aoyama</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐⭐ fiction in translation, read/listen combination</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56382097-when-ghosts-come-home?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=oY7IwoOGZB&rank=1" target="_blank">When Ghosts Come Home</a></b> by Wiley Cash </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐💫 fiction/mystery, MMD book club </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62039259-open-throat?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=3ZxcJVd6Id&rank=1" target="_blank">Open Throat</a></b> by Henry Hoke, narrated by Pete Cross</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐⭐ fiction/fantasy, audio</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76990876-the-road-to-dalton?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_18" target="_blank">The Road to Dalton</a></b> by Shannon Bowring</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ debut fiction</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/139253.The_House_on_Mango_Street?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_14" target="_blank">The House on Mango Street</a></b> by Sandra Cisneros, narrated by the author</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐💫 classic, YA fiction, audio</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62949050-pete-and-alice-in-maine?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_14" target="_blank">Pete and Alice in Maine</a></b> by Caitlin Shetterly</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 literary fiction (pandemic novel)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44908895-the-ensemble?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_12" target="_blank">The Ensemble</a></b> by Aja Gabel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐💫 fiction, MMD book club, read/listen combination</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtDiFq7vdrj9JonOoqZpl49I55ZpJRyImJIidG2wvG51KBt5KILTRwJjBsnJsjxJgZiq12s1s20_ieY86zaMgSLdeUWA5yZ3Uk_ft8wTLzr3WMkwfik5kHbSsfjVuZe2W18bQTePjTDsXTBfZNoKRcu18ITOpB0H-SXzOIOiAEG8zDT-A86GZQXc17XA/s4032/IMG_9982.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtDiFq7vdrj9JonOoqZpl49I55ZpJRyImJIidG2wvG51KBt5KILTRwJjBsnJsjxJgZiq12s1s20_ieY86zaMgSLdeUWA5yZ3Uk_ft8wTLzr3WMkwfik5kHbSsfjVuZe2W18bQTePjTDsXTBfZNoKRcu18ITOpB0H-SXzOIOiAEG8zDT-A86GZQXc17XA/s320/IMG_9982.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Favorite book read in October</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">November Reading Possibilities//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59468833-the-english-understand-wool?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_22" target="_blank">The English Understand Wool</a></b> by Helen DeWitt (novella, completed)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35535660-the-idiot" target="_blank">The Idiot</a></b> by Elif Batuman ( current read/listen)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62952125-somebody-s-fool?ref=nav_sb_ss_3_8" target="_blank">Somebody's Fool</a></b> by Richard Russo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59109077-horse?ref=nav_sb_ss_5_5" target="_blank">Horse</a></b> by Geraldine Brooks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939353-lillian-boxfish-takes-a-walk?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_15" target="_blank">Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk</a></b> by Kathleen Rooney (reread)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Also in November//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today we're meeting family in Rhode Island for brunch, midweek we travel to central New York for my nephew's wedding, then it's back home to celebrate my husband's birthday. We're looking forward to a houseful of family to help him blow out the candles, and a slightly larger contingent over the extra-long Thanksgiving weekend. Our upstairs bathroom renovation is set to begin immediately afterwards. Fingers crossed it's finished well before Christmas, otherwise we're in big trouble! At this point it looks like we may not get back to Florida until early 2024...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How was your month? What was your favorite October read?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghakhOL81keq2_RR7oXT9LUZsMGzErVMm5VBx5nZf4s5zBfOCptPicX5FHIlBX6e9gNBdNOaCXhnaQ-HPtqe_nPi59aylSixzDZZuW5rN5xXre71lybmOQ3AdKFKNVIJCQOGMs-40n4Bz8Addc_dBLC_oU6UraHLoW0tVWFeF-l-85ALqrUKV0iipDj_g/s4032/IMG_0272.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghakhOL81keq2_RR7oXT9LUZsMGzErVMm5VBx5nZf4s5zBfOCptPicX5FHIlBX6e9gNBdNOaCXhnaQ-HPtqe_nPi59aylSixzDZZuW5rN5xXre71lybmOQ3AdKFKNVIJCQOGMs-40n4Bz8Addc_dBLC_oU6UraHLoW0tVWFeF-l-85ALqrUKV0iipDj_g/w300-h400/IMG_0272.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-61093958986273603502023-10-22T09:47:00.001-04:002023-10-22T09:47:58.762-04:00Sunday Update: Fall in CT and Wedding Week is Here!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPp7TjUGyueAimMy3YlFQmCPy7N6U6uzhLzxoPY3wlsXUqX7bNVv9FhoexMAx_isAe2NpOWGIaRDjByORRH8Gl7V60jKaekBrftd-ECzV_v3k1MuGVWmo7XY-a8wnKxpbPpld4krIpVLfhj7YJe4IlULT4sonPnOQJJ31nJpOlc20GQ388kDucIvmNVA/s4032/IMG_9732.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPp7TjUGyueAimMy3YlFQmCPy7N6U6uzhLzxoPY3wlsXUqX7bNVv9FhoexMAx_isAe2NpOWGIaRDjByORRH8Gl7V60jKaekBrftd-ECzV_v3k1MuGVWmo7XY-a8wnKxpbPpld4krIpVLfhj7YJe4IlULT4sonPnOQJJ31nJpOlc20GQ388kDucIvmNVA/w400-h300/IMG_9732.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello, friends. After nearly two months of rainy weekends, we finally got one that is at least mostly dry! The photo above was taken yesterday at the <a href="https://florencegriswoldmuseum.org" target="_blank">Florence Griswold Museum</a> in Old Lyme, CT and, as you can see, it's definitely fall! Today we'll visit <a href="https://mysticseaport.org" target="_blank">Mystic Seaport</a>, wander around some shops in the village, including a new favorite <a href="https://www.banksquarebooks.com" target="_blank">indie bookstore</a>, and find a spot for a late lunch. There may even be an apple festival nearby.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Recent reading//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My two most recent print books are both set in Maine. That wasn't exactly planned, but I love Maine and cannot resist that setting. Both were great reads!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnUtfxzIab-zKGViMMjuvwJ17E2b0acBHuu876QBuDZLvp8Per6kT_oZGTJOA-iyhXy3YWMHhxhpY5KSKtK61E-lHndHER6hHK9BRSAgkvJ6DGgaGtjwV6fqet1hJxVK9ENnRDnkPuDJfUerKK3HwJwxTEXrrxoQ9W8DDASa6sBHN3stroYxmUBmOEhY/s1000/76990876.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="644" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnUtfxzIab-zKGViMMjuvwJ17E2b0acBHuu876QBuDZLvp8Per6kT_oZGTJOA-iyhXy3YWMHhxhpY5KSKtK61E-lHndHER6hHK9BRSAgkvJ6DGgaGtjwV6fqet1hJxVK9ENnRDnkPuDJfUerKK3HwJwxTEXrrxoQ9W8DDASa6sBHN3stroYxmUBmOEhY/s320/76990876.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76990876-the-road-to-dalton?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=0vBFZvLlo8&rank=1" target="_blank">The Road to Dalton</a></b> by Shannon Bowring</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2023/10/quick-reviews-of-two-great-maine-novels.html" target="_blank">my review</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmf-FaVaRUTtGvFDQzmJ-2hRH2q9EQjcwsV83UPPtoZ6Oeei7NjOEWp1dO5rBfZvYtWzgj2LEQUr9NLKFxZQe3BFFFlxpQXWQOSYLbYmY7CjLSjFOF_ZFXer22lz7LVEOSKMUTJiS9p6ksSyj4jiBLp7DUwAZqoAKdIGJKAMmyO5wJSJuafx8MP9x-nB4/s400/62949050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmf-FaVaRUTtGvFDQzmJ-2hRH2q9EQjcwsV83UPPtoZ6Oeei7NjOEWp1dO5rBfZvYtWzgj2LEQUr9NLKFxZQe3BFFFlxpQXWQOSYLbYmY7CjLSjFOF_ZFXer22lz7LVEOSKMUTJiS9p6ksSyj4jiBLp7DUwAZqoAKdIGJKAMmyO5wJSJuafx8MP9x-nB4/s320/62949050.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62949050-pete-and-alice-in-maine?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_14" target="_blank">Pete and Alice in Maine</a></b> by Caitlin Shetterly</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">⭐⭐⭐⭐💫</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2023/10/quick-reviews-of-two-great-maine-novels.html" target="_blank">my review</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Recent listening//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3si-yJyqwPteFKV0HyCVsdSubEO8R3lBT-icmQQmRd7ovNsS5JOMe3mCqOPPIul7MZMR3dN6CvAXCjrrAePzcJe3hGGf68_cf7JYJ891h3wed0ZImYmwKfEGZBHdaRgTgLumZvg-RROYInTgjrxE8Ff6sNPAioc8y2u6VPuBE3-dfOJC9nTVOMLbRZk/s500/51BzCueByHL._SL500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="499" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3si-yJyqwPteFKV0HyCVsdSubEO8R3lBT-icmQQmRd7ovNsS5JOMe3mCqOPPIul7MZMR3dN6CvAXCjrrAePzcJe3hGGf68_cf7JYJ891h3wed0ZImYmwKfEGZBHdaRgTgLumZvg-RROYInTgjrxE8Ff6sNPAioc8y2u6VPuBE3-dfOJC9nTVOMLbRZk/w199-h200/51BzCueByHL._SL500_.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-House-on-Mango-Street-Audiobook/B002VA3BJY?eac_link=zUpZRyP4aSPH&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B002VA3BJY&qid=7viVOcaCBj&eac_id=142-9753096-5173902_7viVOcaCBj&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The House on Mango Street</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Sandra Cisneros, narrated by the author</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This 1984 classic is just under 2 1/2 hours on audio. It's told as a series of vignettes featuring a young Latina girl, Esperanza Cordero, growing up in Chicago. The author's narration adds to the impact and beauty of these stories. ⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Current reading//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wP-lRLNUG1M2fPmN4av9Ck6kZBt7UmuT4g6ypxCvLJhC3I-szoZo1XYN7obMBXOxytdovXFq2U4EFdpxW9R3flu7mhsvVKmhns519FqgIzgW-AMN-wYld-71Te04rYraDEwTT1ohEoKJymLZNLTxHb8beJ6pYjhyphenhyphen7ZbXkexh2M8j1_AYVyyV5NddFdc/s500/44908895.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="319" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wP-lRLNUG1M2fPmN4av9Ck6kZBt7UmuT4g6ypxCvLJhC3I-szoZo1XYN7obMBXOxytdovXFq2U4EFdpxW9R3flu7mhsvVKmhns519FqgIzgW-AMN-wYld-71Te04rYraDEwTT1ohEoKJymLZNLTxHb8beJ6pYjhyphenhyphen7ZbXkexh2M8j1_AYVyyV5NddFdc/s320/44908895.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44908895-the-ensemble?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_12" target="_blank">The Ensemble</a></b> by Aja Gabel</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the November selection for the <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">MMD Book Club</a>. I'm just past the halfway mark and enjoying it very much as a read/listen combination.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">On the blog//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2023/10/quick-reviews-of-two-great-maine-novels.html" target="_blank">Quick Reviews of Two Great Maine Novels: THE ROAD TO DALTON and PETE AND ALICE IN MAINE</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2023/10/thoughts-on-what-you-are-looking-for-is.html" target="_blank">Thoughts on WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IS IN THE LIBRARY by Michiko Aoyama</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2023/10/thoughts-on-covenant-of-water-by.html" target="_blank">Thoughts on THE COVENANT OF WATER by Abraham Verghese</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The week ahead//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wedding week is here and we are all so excited! Our daughter is getting married in NYC on Saturday, so there won't be much time for reading or blogging. I'll check in again in early November with a monthly wrap-up. See you then...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How was your week? What have you been reading?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AnahvdkcwdGBTqAQ5GkBjKcPjPmcpR7IwXaY_54bBtM_8b9QKRoymTfEQ7wh5gdTqLIrLNlrIbqVPkiJdJZFXX3UO5A_INifLLBA1SbO51Zuy2VlBiWzQejPVg0NJri5jcD3pxkkylsokcB0lSWP_1k-RGMq25QrQIbLO4v9uarg-nbPtv_NozvwfIA/s250/SundaySalon.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AnahvdkcwdGBTqAQ5GkBjKcPjPmcpR7IwXaY_54bBtM_8b9QKRoymTfEQ7wh5gdTqLIrLNlrIbqVPkiJdJZFXX3UO5A_INifLLBA1SbO51Zuy2VlBiWzQejPVg0NJri5jcD3pxkkylsokcB0lSWP_1k-RGMq25QrQIbLO4v9uarg-nbPtv_NozvwfIA/w200-h200/SundaySalon.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3gbMigWW9_CnZ1qVEBqmixPllvjmsCOZd6I2-NKgktpCwi0z2UgNmmK7H8xq-3C1ggImn_5ooG35yX9rhTl2xTusOrH_FkXDyro9yq1k1IbOA0iOO_6p-nsKwWWCBKkDQa1pgzwreK80wrCbN7vYrWBjbEd6E6GiKurh1pJk_VITLjcfv9NmAw7L2hU/s362/0c602-it2527s2bmonday25212bwhat2bare2byou2breading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="362" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3gbMigWW9_CnZ1qVEBqmixPllvjmsCOZd6I2-NKgktpCwi0z2UgNmmK7H8xq-3C1ggImn_5ooG35yX9rhTl2xTusOrH_FkXDyro9yq1k1IbOA0iOO_6p-nsKwWWCBKkDQa1pgzwreK80wrCbN7vYrWBjbEd6E6GiKurh1pJk_VITLjcfv9NmAw7L2hU/w200-h181/0c602-it2527s2bmonday25212bwhat2bare2byou2breading.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at <a href="https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-sunday-salon-new-purple-room-in-big.html" target="_blank">Readerbuzz</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at <a href="https://thebookdate.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Book Date.</a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-41384435260976588282023-10-21T10:03:00.000-04:002023-10-21T10:03:32.676-04:00Quick Reviews of Two Great Maine Novels: THE ROAD TO DALTON and PETE AND ALICE IN MAINE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9MCq42QQsmqm7uJTdnWsY-zkAERysdzcMO3ON5Km-jeab7PJeBaExreCyV7Jpk5PqEVrqufX3mbcvBtjcptPFuY_IqcYOnCiaUuCZDResOLEAAxrdh9PN10LIEZv4HyMx4VDRrMKpp1PFyqb1Ucsz-g3i14g13yZP9jWSawoI_70-Ygw9ACURonKV5k/s1000/76990876.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="644" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9MCq42QQsmqm7uJTdnWsY-zkAERysdzcMO3ON5Km-jeab7PJeBaExreCyV7Jpk5PqEVrqufX3mbcvBtjcptPFuY_IqcYOnCiaUuCZDResOLEAAxrdh9PN10LIEZv4HyMx4VDRrMKpp1PFyqb1Ucsz-g3i14g13yZP9jWSawoI_70-Ygw9ACURonKV5k/w258-h400/76990876.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76990876-the-road-to-dalton?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=6glEdTVtsn&rank=1" target="_blank">The Road to Dalton </a></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Shannon Bowring</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Europa Editions, 2023</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">250 pages</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Summary (from goodreads):</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In most small towns, the private is also public. In the town of Dalton, one local makes an unthinkable decision that leaves the community reeling. In the aftermath, their problems, both small and large, reveal a deeper understanding of the lives of their neighbors, and remind us all that no one is exactly who we think they are....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>The Road to Dalton</i> offers valuable understandings of what it means to be alive in the world—of pain and joy, conflict and love, and the endurance that comes from living.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My thoughts:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> If you find character-driven novels about small town life appealing, this is your book! Set in the northernmost reaches of Maine, the locals touched my heart and their stories will stick with me for a very long time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a beautifully written debut novel and I will happily read whatever Shannon Bowring chooses to write next. According to her website a sequel to Dalton, entitled <i>Where the Forest Meets the River,</i> is forthcoming from Europa Editions. Hooray!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzLeJea90wOTaA-BIrpPBYFN-uTcVb6J9uM4DOU0IOC6y0SYSBHiz53kxVMLBGAixMKzYHsLWx0kfBxfjmyKbOdWWV_JnX6FdB9lJyHOf58Mx1IB0zBEfaw6gg8topD5-2G_CQUVVYctLwZq3dxeapLF_hlhwTiDDKxBRw5q4sU6mGkAR5KS2OoDva0c/s400/62949050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzLeJea90wOTaA-BIrpPBYFN-uTcVb6J9uM4DOU0IOC6y0SYSBHiz53kxVMLBGAixMKzYHsLWx0kfBxfjmyKbOdWWV_JnX6FdB9lJyHOf58Mx1IB0zBEfaw6gg8topD5-2G_CQUVVYctLwZq3dxeapLF_hlhwTiDDKxBRw5q4sU6mGkAR5KS2OoDva0c/w268-h400/62949050.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62949050-pete-and-alice-in-maine?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_23" target="_blank">Pete and Alice in Maine</a></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Caitlin Shetterly</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Harper, 2023</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">256 pages </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Summary (from goodreads):</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A powerful and beautifully written debut novel set against the backdrop of the chaotic spring of 2020 that intimately explores a fractured marriage and the struggles of modern parenthood. Reeling from a painful betrayal in her marriage as the Covid pandemic takes hold in New York City, Alice packs up her family and flees to their vacation home in Maine. She hopes to find sanctuary—from the uncertainties of the exploding pandemic and her faltering marriage. Putting distance between herself and the stresses and troubles of the city, Alice begins to feel safe and relieved. But the locals are far from friendly. Trapped and forced into quarantine by hostile neighbors, Alice sees the imprisoning structure of her life in his new predicament. Stripped down to the bare essentials of survival and tending to the needs of her two children, she can no longer ignore all the ways in which she feels limited and lost—lost in the big city, lost as a wife, lost as a mother, lost as a daughter and lost as a person. As the world shifts around her and the balance in her marriage tilts, Alice and her husband, Pete, are left to consider if what keeps their family safe is the same thing as what keeps their family together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My thoughts:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a pandemic novel. The virus is an ever-present force, and the novel ends before the vaccine is introduced.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I find family dramas irresistible and this one is really well done. But be aware of potential triggers - besides the pandemic itself, there is a marriage in crisis, and a flashback to a premature birth and resulting trauma.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The author sets this novel in her home state of Maine. Naturally, tension between Mainers and the covid escapees is palpable. Shetterly skillfully navigates a variety of difficult subjects, and the result is a propulsive, tight debut novel which I could not put down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">⭐⭐⭐⭐💫</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-36223856593544823782023-10-17T10:39:00.000-04:002023-10-17T10:39:54.795-04:00Thoughts on WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IS IN THE LIBRARY by Michiko Aoyama<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bq-tHZetoJP3AuCcdTL786RjabAL270lhKCPVUOjy7wvNoClvUDqtbZe0sogAxZkGZISwrfHvv2oATKdXEPkHvscL2rCYjRiqF-qCImGZe1ZLoUHqGUbIvAivvYAWAr1HarOR5fGzbB_zCSgmbE_mgZ8jcUQzufrSOtEGT2U7gmE6chPUK8Z_ZS4hN4/s2975/91274427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2975" data-original-width="2138" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bq-tHZetoJP3AuCcdTL786RjabAL270lhKCPVUOjy7wvNoClvUDqtbZe0sogAxZkGZISwrfHvv2oATKdXEPkHvscL2rCYjRiqF-qCImGZe1ZLoUHqGUbIvAivvYAWAr1HarOR5fGzbB_zCSgmbE_mgZ8jcUQzufrSOtEGT2U7gmE6chPUK8Z_ZS4hN4/w288-h400/91274427.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91274427-what-you-are-looking-for-is-in-the-library?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=7hKmms6jPs&rank=1" target="_blank">What You Are Looking For Is in the Library</a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Michiko Aoyama, translated by Alison Watts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hanover Square Press, 2023</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">304 pages</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/What-You-Are-Looking-For-Is-in-the-Library-Audiobook/B0C78LWB91?eac_link=lu3FSHFZA9Dg&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B0C78LWB91&qid=C67VxQwmD7&eac_id=142-9753096-5173902_C67VxQwmD7&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Audio edition</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Harlequin Audio, 2023</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">narrated by Hanako Footman, Susan Momoko Hingley, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kenichiro Thomson, Winson Ting, Shiro Kawai</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7 hours ad 19 minutes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Summary (from goodreads):</b></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What are you looking for?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the famous question routinely asked by Tokyo’s most enigmatic librarian, Sayuri Komachi. Like most librarians, Komachi has read every book lining her shelves—but she also has the unique ability to read the souls of her library guests. For anyone who walks through her door, Komachi can sense exactly what they’re looking for in life and provide just the book recommendation they never knew they needed to help them find it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each visitor comes to her library from a different juncture in their careers and dreams, from the restless sales attendant who feels stuck at her job to the struggling working mother who longs to be a magazine editor. The conversation that they have with Sayuri Komachi—and the surprise book she lends each of them—will have life-altering consequences.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With heartwarming charm and wisdom, <i>What You Are Looking For Is in the Library</i> is a paean to the magic of libraries, friendship and community, perfect for anyone who has ever found themselves at an impasse in their life and in need of a little inspiration.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My thoughts:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is one of those books that keeps getting better the more I think about it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Like <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60196684-no-two-persons?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=gjlXC6G1nt&rank=1" target="_blank">No Two Persons</a></i> by Erica Bauermeister, it's told in a series of connected stories - a format which continues to grow on me. Instead of focusing on each character's relationship with a book as <i>No Two Persons,</i> the stories in <i>What You Are Looking For Is in the Library</i> are told from the viewpoint of various library patrons contemplating a new path forward in life. The common denominator is Ms. Komachi, a reference librarian with an uncanny ability to perceive what each patron is truly searching for. Along with a list of books pertaining to their specific query, she also recommends one seemingly off-beat selection which ultimately provides direction and clarity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In addition to Ms. Komachi, other characters also appear in multiple stories. This helps tie the novel together and also provides the reader with slightly different perspectives. I really enjoyed my time spent with this short novel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/What-You-Are-Looking-For-Is-in-the-Library-Audiobook/B0C78LWB91?eac_link=h4cNOJMZbxET&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B0C78LWB91&qid=vDFZXuCcXW&eac_id=142-9753096-5173902_vDFZXuCcXW&sr=1-1" target="_blank"> audio</a>, available on hoopla, is very well done and has a a different narrator for each story. It added to both the atmosphere of the novel and my overall reading experience.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Highly recommended </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-79191607994693635692023-10-10T16:41:00.000-04:002023-10-10T16:41:03.439-04:00Thoughts on THE COVENANT OF WATER by Abraham Verghese<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QhBX4zTpA-NY42D76E3JTjDSNJpWV9BifUAP2tS7RqeOpC0DelH5J04eJx1_g_NEL0e7pFmXre5gVb6WUwcBMWzT9im1yCqoB4h2CriHYsV8opJ3EyanRjJoG-nnoqcSVG_hkXV_MwmIrGi_lH-uIppzcE15v6v_GQI2vrKHVLWMcQr5TwpMryzElyM/s2560/63429926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1707" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QhBX4zTpA-NY42D76E3JTjDSNJpWV9BifUAP2tS7RqeOpC0DelH5J04eJx1_g_NEL0e7pFmXre5gVb6WUwcBMWzT9im1yCqoB4h2CriHYsV8opJ3EyanRjJoG-nnoqcSVG_hkXV_MwmIrGi_lH-uIppzcE15v6v_GQI2vrKHVLWMcQr5TwpMryzElyM/w266-h400/63429926.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/180357146-the-covenant-of-water?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=o1mndiNLlW&rank=1" target="_blank">The Covenant of Water</a></span></b> by Abraham Verghese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grove Press, kindle edition 2023</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">775 pages</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Covenant-of-Water-Audiobook/B0BVDVR6XT?ref_pageloadid=MZJYn5mXSZah1SoG&ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_B0BVDVR6XT_1&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=7X3DVNAQ1ESV861HZNFG&pageLoadId=coBCYQQ3cTpXRyMu&creativeId=4ee810cf-ac8e-4eeb-8b79-40e176d0a225" target="_blank">audio edition</a> narrated by the author</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Recorded Books, 2023</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">31 hours and 16 minutes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Summary</b> (from goodreads):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A stunning and magisterial new epic of love, faith, and medicine, set in Kerala and following three generations of a family seeking the answers to a strange secret.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Spanning the years 1900 to 1977, <i>The Covenant of Water </i>is set in Kerala, on South India’s Malabar Coast, and follows three generations of a family that suffers a peculiar affliction: in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning—and in Kerala, water is everywhere. The family is part of a Christian community that traces itself to the time of the apostles, but times are shifting, and the matriarch of this family, known as Big Ammachi—literally “Big Mother”—will witness unthinkable changes at home and at large over the span of her extraordinary life. All of Verghese’s great gifts are on display in this new work: there are astonishing scenes of medical ingenuity, fantastic moments of humor, a surprising and deeply moving story, and characters imbued with the essence of life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A shimmering evocation of a lost India and of the passage of time itself, <i>The Covenant of Water</i> is a hymn to progress in medicine and to human understanding, and a humbling testament to the hardships undergone by past generations for the sake of those alive today. It is one of the most masterful literary novels published in recent years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>My thoughts:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is a tough book to review because my feelings are complicated.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>The Covenant of Water</i> is a beautifully written, all-encompassing family saga. It delves into culture, class, medicine, art, faith, politics, and more. There are scores of characters, multiple storylines, complicated relationships, deep secrets, and somehow this talented author manages to weave them all together to culminate in one of the most remarkable endings I've ever experienced. What an amazing feat! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But there is a downside. It took 775 pages (in my kindle edition) and over 31 hours on audio to get to that mind-blowing ending. I got bogged down a few times along the way, and even considered giving up at one point. Instead I decided to take a break - twice. And each time the characters called me back. I could not get them out of my mind! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ultimately, the ending made reading all 775 pages worth it! And yet even with the stunning ending, gorgeous writing, and unforgettable characters, I hesitate to recommend this book to other readers.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>A note on the audio production:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Abraham Verghese is a man of many talents. In addition to being a physician and an extraordinary writer, he has been blessed with a melodic voice and the ability to use it to further elevate the words he has written. The author's narration enhanced my overall reading experience. I highly recommend a read/listen combination.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>My rating:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The ending elevated what might have been a 4-star read to 4.5 stars.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Bottom line:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>The Covenant of Water </i>is a wonderful read, but it requires a huge time commitment plus the mental space to keep up with all the characters/threads. It’s one of those books where you really have to choose your reading time wisely!</div></div>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-22612086694146393792023-10-08T13:03:00.000-04:002023-10-08T13:03:34.249-04:00The Sunday Salon: An Entire Week at Home!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGhYu9MkDR0DOR0F0xnsWkK77X_poNovoX-uowWMpKUSioAPVDm47T5-QwdSugs5cS5e9Po4mMoZXD10j_cI-t7Ei4x_6IvR_H8DkFyr4OwjrBEmdA4nz6WLY2CHp9ohduhMS3EXdNttYRtStyl7rR7PSxRM0v8Ti2Aw049c-vlzWkh6zJHhC6yEBsHM/s3845/IMG_9580.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3845" data-original-width="2884" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGhYu9MkDR0DOR0F0xnsWkK77X_poNovoX-uowWMpKUSioAPVDm47T5-QwdSugs5cS5e9Po4mMoZXD10j_cI-t7Ei4x_6IvR_H8DkFyr4OwjrBEmdA4nz6WLY2CHp9ohduhMS3EXdNttYRtStyl7rR7PSxRM0v8Ti2Aw049c-vlzWkh6zJHhC6yEBsHM/w300-h400/IMG_9580.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">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. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Also this week we took a short drive up the coast to the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Watch+Hill,+Westerly,+RI+02891/@41.3140535,-71.8610683,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e5e40c933caa7d:0x9039e45b87b5c3bb!8m2!3d41.3131906!4d-71.8514495!16zL20vMDY4bmZi?entry=ttu" target="_blank">Watch Hill</a> area of Westerly, RI... which was gorgeous. From there we continued on to an <a href="https://www.rhodyoysters.com" target="_blank">oyster bar</a> further up the coast for a late lunch. It was a perfect early fall day!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><b>Recent reading//</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJUbbXNtw5Tvhg9W7JTKPWZS93l5WHS0H4osKXNHMbf3u07sY9PSBzC-REbGY2y9j4T_8SMezIHDoCQCNIrX0dZwejQ6OtrYj-_fdJsN4WPDVU0foZJW0Q_-Hnj79tdw2wP9KEbNBoLZDELoOQbIiF0-RO2uwXiH1pkVXTUWrnY-WINJhrzJazRk1ci0/s2975/91274427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2975" data-original-width="2138" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJUbbXNtw5Tvhg9W7JTKPWZS93l5WHS0H4osKXNHMbf3u07sY9PSBzC-REbGY2y9j4T_8SMezIHDoCQCNIrX0dZwejQ6OtrYj-_fdJsN4WPDVU0foZJW0Q_-Hnj79tdw2wP9KEbNBoLZDELoOQbIiF0-RO2uwXiH1pkVXTUWrnY-WINJhrzJazRk1ci0/s320/91274427.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91274427-what-you-are-looking-for-is-in-the-library?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=wF8wH3LaEy&rank=1" target="_blank">What You Are Looking for is in the Library</a></b> by Michiko Aoyama</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was a delightful book. I'll have a review soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IRl04LqqTrOnsY4x1HmAQeEkK1mo7ACYi9L5Hfev_MQxPg6I-JvtGFcARvdpMh0dNb25kJtkanNuUB5aWEFM2HKtQfev6Aifzq_0qopJanHEZkJMxSBXZasOBFVOKY_foVwNoLhW20MTFJ1Nl7cC0Af-R8wiqp0eZHsdFYUU-HpwjODSBTxwENyeZpA/s400/56382097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="264" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IRl04LqqTrOnsY4x1HmAQeEkK1mo7ACYi9L5Hfev_MQxPg6I-JvtGFcARvdpMh0dNb25kJtkanNuUB5aWEFM2HKtQfev6Aifzq_0qopJanHEZkJMxSBXZasOBFVOKY_foVwNoLhW20MTFJ1Nl7cC0Af-R8wiqp0eZHsdFYUU-HpwjODSBTxwENyeZpA/s320/56382097.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56382097-when-ghosts-come-home?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_18" target="_blank">When Ghosts Come Home</a></b> by Wiley Cash</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the October selection of the <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">MMD book club</a> and there will be a live chat with the author later this month. I liked this book and rated it 3.5 stars.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEcgVXTMun627obMhR-9ozGAxSZLOsRK0huo42oFvepkAdKgRhTgvRm1933UF6RIBIqBclDwHrRCB_uYfM-_XUMnGuX0MGea1wNDjACNOznYK2LsoUz9bJpifTC7EOi5Guoilx1d_USc2K5IJnyfIWQb9Vo_O2ErUf_h862MXxtSCSqZGACOeklEAJgA/s400/62039259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="273" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEcgVXTMun627obMhR-9ozGAxSZLOsRK0huo42oFvepkAdKgRhTgvRm1933UF6RIBIqBclDwHrRCB_uYfM-_XUMnGuX0MGea1wNDjACNOznYK2LsoUz9bJpifTC7EOi5Guoilx1d_USc2K5IJnyfIWQb9Vo_O2ErUf_h862MXxtSCSqZGACOeklEAJgA/s320/62039259.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Open-Throat-Audiobook/B0BSB37YRH?eac_link=O25qN2TnYfOS&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B0BSB37YRH&qid=Wg2pdJpw20&eac_id=142-9753096-5173902_Wg2pdJpw20&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Open Throat</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Henry Hoke, narrated by Pete Cross </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This was one unusual audiobook! It's just under 2 hours long, available for immediate download via hoopla, and I really enjoyed it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Current reading//</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUtGnDvc1_qYAb8_-SCMS0Y4bR9QcAlwAsdqrjOFDFoRgtqhAnV4CcMrc77L_2AHTTwlZfJu1QQ4YIvMmiDfNozmnDG7ItGVBn3tHaSXzj6TieHYVVRbYJBQ8yCo56iUqc4ehoB26FoL_nqYhAY1tMaqJctdgktra3FVIFIR0L426vKux2RBlo8iaxzU/s1000/76990876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="644" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUtGnDvc1_qYAb8_-SCMS0Y4bR9QcAlwAsdqrjOFDFoRgtqhAnV4CcMrc77L_2AHTTwlZfJu1QQ4YIvMmiDfNozmnDG7ItGVBn3tHaSXzj6TieHYVVRbYJBQ8yCo56iUqc4ehoB26FoL_nqYhAY1tMaqJctdgktra3FVIFIR0L426vKux2RBlo8iaxzU/s320/76990876.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76990876-the-road-to-dalton" target="_blank"><b>The Road to Dalton</b></a> by Shannon Dalton</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeqalAxw92XqDNBnwD1F6JvF-RreTHSalQrM1Qx42u_OeWK4NB2GLLAIyQSGi4m5iuZYZ_RwWLTSUGycron3rDEtin-HQ_4OmjjTcsn_JMZMguowL9OvLzi3_gWXDiE4ft0vHQJBQQWX1kbVaaA7zBG6opIFmvW3ariSTcRYWYhq8wgzUr6R1Ngsuac4/s500/40604782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="499" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeqalAxw92XqDNBnwD1F6JvF-RreTHSalQrM1Qx42u_OeWK4NB2GLLAIyQSGi4m5iuZYZ_RwWLTSUGycron3rDEtin-HQ_4OmjjTcsn_JMZMguowL9OvLzi3_gWXDiE4ft0vHQJBQQWX1kbVaaA7zBG6opIFmvW3ariSTcRYWYhq8wgzUr6R1Ngsuac4/s320/40604782.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-House-on-Mango-Street-Audiobook/B002VA3BJY?eac_link=z1zlQTmpyxdX&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B002VA3BJY&qid=7Tss5yhDYi&eac_id=142-9753096-5173902_7Tss5yhDYi&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The House on Mango Street</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Sandra Cisneros, narrated by the author</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In honor of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Hispanic_Heritage_Month_(United_States)" target="_blank">Hispanic Heritage Month</a>, 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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The week ahead//</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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 <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/180357146-the-covenant-of-water?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_21" target="_blank">The Covenant of Water</a></i> by Abraham Verghese.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How was your week? What have you been reading?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Y34P0oMM-48DeNzSvSgBxS9kuG081Lud8AXycAbcJSRxQjiE-IyXPOmKorBNIvTAgO33BK53THgs4dVmdC2maSgN16kl-5qPf-5rt7KP2JPzuapfhykfFQw0y_iSzHS1KH3ILpw81N5XuDafQPztUqhMGB7JWoKlH83jD8VhasD5QKFL62lLsc-Thss/s250/SundaySalon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Y34P0oMM-48DeNzSvSgBxS9kuG081Lud8AXycAbcJSRxQjiE-IyXPOmKorBNIvTAgO33BK53THgs4dVmdC2maSgN16kl-5qPf-5rt7KP2JPzuapfhykfFQw0y_iSzHS1KH3ILpw81N5XuDafQPztUqhMGB7JWoKlH83jD8VhasD5QKFL62lLsc-Thss/w200-h200/SundaySalon.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbb7r4SjxSjhtbsWL8Rx7jWcV6ghUnYoOx3FGkXKHt85KCiK0Q30OeGGT88iPpegHhUfMKWMhmeNngaMDFL4cG0lBdutmkitNiKgzCcxo0DU_m9BXkAHBu4WrX4bOFzpmpQzO2jRZgl4mbP5NzuFuJKWgc7q986P_m8D4F_BSXXMo-tk9hzmE_yuHDH8/s362/0c602-it2527s2bmonday25212bwhat2bare2byou2breading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="362" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbb7r4SjxSjhtbsWL8Rx7jWcV6ghUnYoOx3FGkXKHt85KCiK0Q30OeGGT88iPpegHhUfMKWMhmeNngaMDFL4cG0lBdutmkitNiKgzCcxo0DU_m9BXkAHBu4WrX4bOFzpmpQzO2jRZgl4mbP5NzuFuJKWgc7q986P_m8D4F_BSXXMo-tk9hzmE_yuHDH8/w200-h181/0c602-it2527s2bmonday25212bwhat2bare2byou2breading.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at <a href="https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-sunday-salon-readers-imbibing-peril.html" target="_blank">Readerbuzz</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at <a href="https://thebookdate.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Book Date</a>.</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-46528552014527475122023-09-29T13:00:00.001-04:002023-09-29T13:00:00.147-04:00An Early Sunday Salon: September 29, 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_9vp54HEdvYNDMwdtGScRFRyoVuzZHJFQJMBbRTuot8UDt68EdfLLMdW8fitlCECu986qKRla9CnCZabeSwptdnZ-SSALQyj4r3604fkgYGXxJA1MLBkFfHIiko-bUwt9MW3xwK40rN64BkPSa_Kqr0Ww95QujipW56ke8ULI1Nazm0G0JpPH22YUAA/s750/IMG_9857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="750" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_9vp54HEdvYNDMwdtGScRFRyoVuzZHJFQJMBbRTuot8UDt68EdfLLMdW8fitlCECu986qKRla9CnCZabeSwptdnZ-SSALQyj4r3604fkgYGXxJA1MLBkFfHIiko-bUwt9MW3xwK40rN64BkPSa_Kqr0Ww95QujipW56ke8ULI1Nazm0G0JpPH22YUAA/w400-h356/IMG_9857.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">photo courtesy of Symphony Space</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Hello, friends. Happy fall!🍂🍁 It's been an action-packed couple of weeks and we are on the way back to NYC for the second consecutive weekend. Last week my daughter and I went to see Ann Patchett at <a href="https://www.symphonyspace.org" target="_blank">Symphony Space</a>, where Patchett was in conversation with her friend, writer Patrick Ryan. It was </span>amazing! Ann spoke on a wide variety of topics including friendship, writers workshops, <i>Tom Lake, </i>several of her backlist books, the writing process, research, and then she answered audience questions, too. This was my first live author event since the pandemic, and I can't wait to attend another. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This weekend is all about wedding dress shopping for our oldest daughter. (Twin A is getting married next month, Daughter #1's wedding is in September 2024.) The groom's parents and sister are also in town this weekend. We have appointments at three bridal shops, with a brunch scheduled in between. While the ladies shop, the gentlemen have their own agenda... and college football surely figures into it! We'll all be together for dinner in the evening. It's going to be a great weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Recent reading//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzGJPRHh33n2CcYqFmX0-kxRvjS03d0BiawbIn8GhMuXh8co-b4hvnnJ1UrM0F_UcM5tQag4vGqPZVfVtPw0KOdBpnFyi75c7DSVRFywwXyYdz2d6ltoZguFkqTUQ7OHWHeDY5bYvjCYc2KlWMUpvvpjK8TIOq08-S5r0WVGUlgYJV8Zp00Q9WMFgOKA/s400/54746196.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzGJPRHh33n2CcYqFmX0-kxRvjS03d0BiawbIn8GhMuXh8co-b4hvnnJ1UrM0F_UcM5tQag4vGqPZVfVtPw0KOdBpnFyi75c7DSVRFywwXyYdz2d6ltoZguFkqTUQ7OHWHeDY5bYvjCYc2KlWMUpvvpjK8TIOq08-S5r0WVGUlgYJV8Zp00Q9WMFgOKA/s320/54746196.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58395049-true-biz?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=dMzDucnEaS&rank=1" target="_blank">True Biz</a></b> by Sara Nović</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(<a href="http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2023/09/thoughts-on-true-biz-by-sara-novic.html" target="_blank">my review</a>)</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjajadJUW620ll87Xvadr0_IGn15vuVtt_LY9dTX6aJQFrXeRuiDZnB0lLadROooulWFEI6LfIDBgnqzzKgnoitcKQMvdx5QAOdnYNhqlaGpAQsmzpsZXktxDTFzon7oueJWVEbwsVoc1e8r0-3-oiFVYst3mTPne51ktg0jw6MjhTdH6egOFnRVLYijc/s2560/63429926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1707" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjajadJUW620ll87Xvadr0_IGn15vuVtt_LY9dTX6aJQFrXeRuiDZnB0lLadROooulWFEI6LfIDBgnqzzKgnoitcKQMvdx5QAOdnYNhqlaGpAQsmzpsZXktxDTFzon7oueJWVEbwsVoc1e8r0-3-oiFVYst3mTPne51ktg0jw6MjhTdH6egOFnRVLYijc/s320/63429926.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/180357146-the-covenant-of-water?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_19" target="_blank">The Covenant of Water</a></b> by Abraham Verghese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I rated it 4.5 stars, but my thoughts on this one are complicated. Look for a review this week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Current reading//</span></b></span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc_U66IkttvUKzbSWyGtYWIkf5D_CTFZyENCt3ZsZ-Zz7cVuZ6x4-pEPWkJRZeyugDn_UzI9wVvuXhFgobTDzmpbKHpf8kxZsyPgzfkcXpouZz5tO1F3UNjegchg-g6vqi1qhT27AHA17scQL9LhXhB8iCbguMcZ9WCo6MrK_V_O5ap2mYsGzh__H4qk/s400/56382097.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="264" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc_U66IkttvUKzbSWyGtYWIkf5D_CTFZyENCt3ZsZ-Zz7cVuZ6x4-pEPWkJRZeyugDn_UzI9wVvuXhFgobTDzmpbKHpf8kxZsyPgzfkcXpouZz5tO1F3UNjegchg-g6vqi1qhT27AHA17scQL9LhXhB8iCbguMcZ9WCo6MrK_V_O5ap2mYsGzh__H4qk/s320/56382097.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57229328-when-ghosts-come-home" target="_blank">When Ghosts Come Home</a></b> by Wiley Cash</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the October selection for the <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">MMD</a> book club. I'm about a third of the way in now.</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5zYomcV5ifKm8WoauWjy8tXv940IzYZ-98HLzJ0_hz2igCQc-NWh2JtPrDHAV6pMuR-A22bzD-PNObjnWc_G5H6ae41N1Sp7S7uO8KbfbCYLj50y0HWsvttZDUF66Kr4z8m_pcQmDTOowDN-197JEZ4sOuJMtaB8yd3SJvIKI3Kjzdg5rJUA2DylPlY/s2975/91274427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2975" data-original-width="2138" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5zYomcV5ifKm8WoauWjy8tXv940IzYZ-98HLzJ0_hz2igCQc-NWh2JtPrDHAV6pMuR-A22bzD-PNObjnWc_G5H6ae41N1Sp7S7uO8KbfbCYLj50y0HWsvttZDUF66Kr4z8m_pcQmDTOowDN-197JEZ4sOuJMtaB8yd3SJvIKI3Kjzdg5rJUA2DylPlY/s320/91274427.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91274427-what-you-are-looking-for-is-in-the-library" target="_blank">What You Are Looking For Is in the Library</a></b> by Michiko Aoyama</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I bought this while book browsing in NYC last weekend... isn't that cover irresistible? The audio is available on hoopla, so now it's a read/listen combination. I'm halfway through and enjoying it very much.</span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On the blog//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2023/09/thoughts-on-true-biz-by-sara-novic.html" target="_blank">Thoughts on TRUE BIZ by Sara Nović</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The week ahead//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm past due for a quiet week and hoping this will be it. We have no appointments scheduled and no travel plans... and I'm going to do everything in my power to keep it that way! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How are things with you? What have you been reading lately?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSO2GHupAnnahuXjkTAy8FhahRmqHoVscyiPULP2kM7PBj0JpjQ1NAIVldib0MOTJrHTlyJbb2DR_KhsgE27hZnU46wPzM2wzZigWueW-qPadC2VWCRJy1rCS1LZHRmRjb1uKuYc1sAaUayBTG_8ZBE2sxavI9FJWvcPSC5Ddyj0nghztachdmd-ksV5k/s250/SundaySalon.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSO2GHupAnnahuXjkTAy8FhahRmqHoVscyiPULP2kM7PBj0JpjQ1NAIVldib0MOTJrHTlyJbb2DR_KhsgE27hZnU46wPzM2wzZigWueW-qPadC2VWCRJy1rCS1LZHRmRjb1uKuYc1sAaUayBTG_8ZBE2sxavI9FJWvcPSC5Ddyj0nghztachdmd-ksV5k/w200-h200/SundaySalon.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31IQvBwg4nln7mO-dFRMw6_DPezy-XB3zRB4IQmn-ccXTf7Ok-ZMRFJYQvGWC6TxPyYtkahPSoas5OgahxB7fdvUGQz389JkJmzqMcH6NikOab8i-Q3xgrT-eA2FVjDVm7XPPWDqwPftpptxPvbnI-uG_rN7duPjNpPMqKWHEXv-jA4V689Q5lG4iH8A/s362/0c602-it2527s2bmonday25212bwhat2bare2byou2breading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="362" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31IQvBwg4nln7mO-dFRMw6_DPezy-XB3zRB4IQmn-ccXTf7Ok-ZMRFJYQvGWC6TxPyYtkahPSoas5OgahxB7fdvUGQz389JkJmzqMcH6NikOab8i-Q3xgrT-eA2FVjDVm7XPPWDqwPftpptxPvbnI-uG_rN7duPjNpPMqKWHEXv-jA4V689Q5lG4iH8A/w200-h181/0c602-it2527s2bmonday25212bwhat2bare2byou2breading.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at <a href="https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Readerbuzz</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at <a href="https://thebookdate.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Book Date</a>.</div></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-7104814922208584802023-09-27T08:03:00.000-04:002023-09-27T08:03:12.463-04:00Thoughts on TRUE BIZ by Sara Nović<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0znZskxbe_McBFlnmghsL3R1i85yJTHoOshR8p3Viz0A9wiN3ZHiVmT4MtHEs7FWWIf9NoJRoANZI3_8B8MZsE43bADld82aiQGD_m4Dt9EN1y3MInP8geRVorL2Ap-C-mRv31TkMOhpXZla4QHtbpRk4KERRh420ka1XQ0yEpC4busuOUJpIWMMDjtQ/s400/54746196.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0znZskxbe_McBFlnmghsL3R1i85yJTHoOshR8p3Viz0A9wiN3ZHiVmT4MtHEs7FWWIf9NoJRoANZI3_8B8MZsE43bADld82aiQGD_m4Dt9EN1y3MInP8geRVorL2Ap-C-mRv31TkMOhpXZla4QHtbpRk4KERRh420ka1XQ0yEpC4busuOUJpIWMMDjtQ/w268-h400/54746196.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58395049-true-biz?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=9VdKCr97GB&rank=1" target="_blank">True Biz</a></span></b> by Sara Nović</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Random House, 2022</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">386 pages</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Source:</b> ebook borrowed from library</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Motivation for reading:</b> <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">MMD </a>book club September selection</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Summary</b> (from goodreads):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The students at the River Valley School for the Deaf just want to hook up, pass their history finals, and have politicians, doctors, and their parents stop telling them what to do with their bodies. This revelatory novel plunges readers into the halls of a residential school for the deaf, where they'll meet Charlie, a rebellious transfer student who's never met another deaf person before; Austin, the school's golden boy, whose world is rocked when his baby sister is born hearing; and February, the headmistress, who is fighting to keep her school open and her marriage intact, but might not be able to do both. As a series of crises both personal and political threaten to unravel each of them, Charlie, Austin, and February find their lives inextricable from one another's—and changed forever.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is a story of sign language and lip-reading, disability and civil rights, isolation and injustice, first love and loss, and, above all, great persistence, daring, and joy. Absorbing and assured, idiosyncratic and relatable, this is an unforgettable journey into the Deaf community and a universal celebration of human connection.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>My thoughts:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Overall, I liked this book. I was unfamiliar with both Deaf culture and issues faced by the community, and this novel offered a way in. It introduced me to fundamentals of Deaf history, basic principles of signing, and the controversy surrounding sign language and the use of cochlear implants. Interspersed periodically between chapters were short nonfiction "lesson plans" - a creative feature which I enjoyed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But there were some negatives, too. The novel had more of a didactic and YA (young adult) feel than I was expecting, plus the story dragged in the middle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The book club's author talk featured the author plus a sign language interpreter with Anne Bogel, and it was so interesting to watch! I never would have chosen this book on my own and appreciate the opportunity to learn about Deaf culture through <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">MMD</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>My rating:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">⭐⭐⭐</div></div></div><p><br /><br /></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-11705347348306536202023-09-08T16:16:00.000-04:002023-09-08T16:16:54.600-04:00A Look Back at August and Plans for September<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh401UX3AEULG2lyu2SZCa-jkS6z-dfnpMrfPgi2AncAckbIrF4xdImKoTQlO658gRR8VkYtgfgNa0RTTZlgymwc755BUdcNnzbwLq8ZgOZfUxwnmXQteW6D7WMmtMAI-rZi4kzCJ8cHpnCxu1_LcU7jxp5XEhMMXdqd0s1LArTGkft0tDdU36J_6nUYG8/s1500/facts-about-september.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh401UX3AEULG2lyu2SZCa-jkS6z-dfnpMrfPgi2AncAckbIrF4xdImKoTQlO658gRR8VkYtgfgNa0RTTZlgymwc755BUdcNnzbwLq8ZgOZfUxwnmXQteW6D7WMmtMAI-rZi4kzCJ8cHpnCxu1_LcU7jxp5XEhMMXdqd0s1LArTGkft0tDdU36J_6nUYG8/w400-h200/facts-about-september.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The long holiday weekend is behind us and we are now well into September, but I'd still like to take a look back at August and outline some September reading possibilities. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">In August, we tried to make the most of the long summer days. The kids all visited, we traveled to upstate NY to see my parents and attend a family reunion, and spent several evenings on the beach for sunset. I managed to read four books last month, and was happy with their variety and quality. I read a classic play, a memoir, a new release from a favorite author, and reread a Pulitzer Prize winning short story collection on audio.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><b>Books Read in August</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio71MstJbxEvEpsQRWcopNvCY-o1Br7n_CkjroXQbXJa-KJGHVp5Sv5v4kF-mvuoojkFLwkTv4iDtjXikm2Nszpvwd4QNDQRi-JAr7gtmsfJmGKQdw_OREoiI7Z12JDCIsKOZT50KGRdkt7gnTjAkAYtP4wCxmfaIg-jk2fwEr3i0ZP2iWKZ7E-f9OJSY/s424/18897121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio71MstJbxEvEpsQRWcopNvCY-o1Br7n_CkjroXQbXJa-KJGHVp5Sv5v4kF-mvuoojkFLwkTv4iDtjXikm2Nszpvwd4QNDQRi-JAr7gtmsfJmGKQdw_OREoiI7Z12JDCIsKOZT50KGRdkt7gnTjAkAYtP4wCxmfaIg-jk2fwEr3i0ZP2iWKZ7E-f9OJSY/s320/18897121.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18897121-the-cherry-orchard" target="_blank">The Cherry Orchard</a></b> by Anton Chekhov</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">classic play, ⭐⭐⭐💫</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-LftOTkKRu4FNMZpxHf9tKTKPXabaOu-Sp7b817AX7-5pJsnBGnx-vqTI82E0PJMHjt8wp_XQDNdsEXKdbRx5HAND7di-QYtYDSD_pjdCZtDEh0F1rMAi_Kfcb7ngqqLoTxGQc6sCHOENoeCPoDkU886XgD_jRm9r-eTs3k6f0VDr7tqzfVj2jrbFyg/s400/54330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-LftOTkKRu4FNMZpxHf9tKTKPXabaOu-Sp7b817AX7-5pJsnBGnx-vqTI82E0PJMHjt8wp_XQDNdsEXKdbRx5HAND7di-QYtYDSD_pjdCZtDEh0F1rMAi_Kfcb7ngqqLoTxGQc6sCHOENoeCPoDkU886XgD_jRm9r-eTs3k6f0VDr7tqzfVj2jrbFyg/s320/54330.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54330.On_Hitler_s_Mountain?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_20" target="_blank">On Hitler's Mountain: Overcoming the Legacy of a Nazi Childhood</a></b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Irmgard A. Hunt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">memoir, ⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNeHyWnFko-GwQKbgbNqziq9it0HcRCY8-9b7bbnKPgOP9yvn0EBPb2voVOfh3157jkIejtaNCopdZPyduBXQyvsHhwPr41SrizPpm0pJKAh_U-z-2_WZAQ1OKXb12gKxupkPQJg4TTOwe975DNtGwHrwFmo1iGQfH9a0eHdwlRMAQBHvfM14KuMs0ok/s978/63241104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="648" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNeHyWnFko-GwQKbgbNqziq9it0HcRCY8-9b7bbnKPgOP9yvn0EBPb2voVOfh3157jkIejtaNCopdZPyduBXQyvsHhwPr41SrizPpm0pJKAh_U-z-2_WZAQ1OKXb12gKxupkPQJg4TTOwe975DNtGwHrwFmo1iGQfH9a0eHdwlRMAQBHvfM14KuMs0ok/s320/63241104.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63241104-tom-lake?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_8" target="_blank">Tom Lake</a></b> by Ann Patchett</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">literary fiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb6Jykvr_GwTF7R22jiuV54Z_smyXhKN3rZnrXWqUOILPMVxeZn70JGcf0zlgY0_vTo7nhB1uGQvGj-nl3UQPfPMn6EJgpibW0XLETWhjYgJEMhvlhkp-2mAB9ljNr0qHQsHoNnPWbXE0uMJG_nl2f9rTDwcrPE8nfbB2TgAFkUCIhHacllwE-vZvlyY/s500/41yjZf02nZL._SL500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb6Jykvr_GwTF7R22jiuV54Z_smyXhKN3rZnrXWqUOILPMVxeZn70JGcf0zlgY0_vTo7nhB1uGQvGj-nl3UQPfPMn6EJgpibW0XLETWhjYgJEMhvlhkp-2mAB9ljNr0qHQsHoNnPWbXE0uMJG_nl2f9rTDwcrPE8nfbB2TgAFkUCIhHacllwE-vZvlyY/w200-h200/41yjZf02nZL._SL500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5439.Interpreter_of_Maladies?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_11" target="_blank">Interpreter of Maladies</a></b> by Jhumpa Lahiri</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">short stories, reread,⭐⭐⭐⭐</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">September Reading Possibilities</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZ38STHwdtf5GwUeY2G-aE5PZStCAvaPeAMlQBDs3Bm3ohJb1WxkC7DLBJNGaJxNnCvYVjHWWE9LIOlgngAPz4Rbf6FfvHLEn5xaGsZ7eA2kZjxxaum0hjJfeOFOIdeLGegunkzy92x-9QhGUATOhZIlxDkodr972KjuJow1uLmciydzf4ZmfaIdJERw/s500/51Y4rZq0XxL._SL500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZ38STHwdtf5GwUeY2G-aE5PZStCAvaPeAMlQBDs3Bm3ohJb1WxkC7DLBJNGaJxNnCvYVjHWWE9LIOlgngAPz4Rbf6FfvHLEn5xaGsZ7eA2kZjxxaum0hjJfeOFOIdeLGegunkzy92x-9QhGUATOhZIlxDkodr972KjuJow1uLmciydzf4ZmfaIdJERw/w200-h200/51Y4rZq0XxL._SL500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Lots-of-Candles-Plenty-of-Cake-Audiobook/B007P5OD7E?eac_link=kWpNSs5XODPm&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B007P5OD7E&qid=n44BMeKxo4&eac_id=142-9753096-5173902_n44BMeKxo4&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> by Anna Quindlen </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">memoir in essays, audio reread (COMPLETE)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrThI5Q7w9Ju3WI4BsAOFJI_Xv9qo566QDfgCuIK1feGxCy4Dg3pK3SfRac8ACUgya2Xf8EGtfv3BBZvPnrFSpSWjfuwCMa5k6FgSs-r59F505mlYWrEAzKDoU5bpNME_VVxbLIMyvVgutwti42opWDQn6LAC4KZ3liiw536-zb59a9Dm5ZbwvGjoCwu4/s2560/63429926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1707" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrThI5Q7w9Ju3WI4BsAOFJI_Xv9qo566QDfgCuIK1feGxCy4Dg3pK3SfRac8ACUgya2Xf8EGtfv3BBZvPnrFSpSWjfuwCMa5k6FgSs-r59F505mlYWrEAzKDoU5bpNME_VVxbLIMyvVgutwti42opWDQn6LAC4KZ3liiw536-zb59a9Dm5ZbwvGjoCwu4/s320/63429926.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63429926-the-covenant-of-water" target="_blank">The Covenant of Water</a></b> by Abraham Verghese </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">literary fiction, read/listen combo in progress</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOPESjcs0Ym2A709r3rtwCOt7smascCQQQrembWPGAiVd2JQyR18WbMODgFlhfI2fZZICHP0OJClxab3W1jSY8bCZbcVfNaWSOQAWn0yQRipXRTTJXONDqfJwZPyaG1k2PAxuBc9LP6Ukp2pbfPz9iSCM5W0vbE05NHxk1R506sV9EcE0zZiUXdYvqwQ/s400/54746196.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOPESjcs0Ym2A709r3rtwCOt7smascCQQQrembWPGAiVd2JQyR18WbMODgFlhfI2fZZICHP0OJClxab3W1jSY8bCZbcVfNaWSOQAWn0yQRipXRTTJXONDqfJwZPyaG1k2PAxuBc9LP6Ukp2pbfPz9iSCM5W0vbE05NHxk1R506sV9EcE0zZiUXdYvqwQ/s320/54746196.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63429926-the-covenant-of-water" target="_blank">True Biz </a></b>by Sara Nović </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">MMD</a> September selection, ebook in progress</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANLdy65JycDdp7QzdfuI5BvH9gxenONisyVD8PO6yQTOULg_ZSnWPzi5f96sjMq4S6Vt9UPofLGJjRp9s8qIgNMfvD6kDurZbVUbM35vf_u2APwzXnmBzyKsN0r-86ONq2nPfKMAABvVZyrG4l5YJt2h_gwCWuhHZpRlL45eDQYjiOw4IkmW7-Rx8OHQ/s1000/76990876.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="644" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANLdy65JycDdp7QzdfuI5BvH9gxenONisyVD8PO6yQTOULg_ZSnWPzi5f96sjMq4S6Vt9UPofLGJjRp9s8qIgNMfvD6kDurZbVUbM35vf_u2APwzXnmBzyKsN0r-86ONq2nPfKMAABvVZyrG4l5YJt2h_gwCWuhHZpRlL45eDQYjiOw4IkmW7-Rx8OHQ/s320/76990876.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76990876-the-road-to-dalton?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=lhCiM4B2wJ&rank=1" target="_blank">The Road to Dalton</a></b> by Shannon Bowring</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-DXExOMHW-fLXcQU5jB9OxnQ7NGESvP6t30CylcAImVyBrY8c8tw7UMvYZfIk3wUjNeVR4vmHPVg5As-OvbJ1jCXvkZCAqyc55EsSpejGJH2vHYYq721KARqyDhZkHEYGwaWlGkZlNjPuqkMgOAxQc3C10OuR5iFf6QMXRSb0xtIzYRtEWxx23YjK28/s400/65678550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-DXExOMHW-fLXcQU5jB9OxnQ7NGESvP6t30CylcAImVyBrY8c8tw7UMvYZfIk3wUjNeVR4vmHPVg5As-OvbJ1jCXvkZCAqyc55EsSpejGJH2vHYYq721KARqyDhZkHEYGwaWlGkZlNjPuqkMgOAxQc3C10OuR5iFf6QMXRSb0xtIzYRtEWxx23YjK28/s320/65678550.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65678550-the-heaven-earth-grocery-store?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_14" target="_blank">The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> by James McBride</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAoVfqxf2k_jsFPP2VvoaQceHmseW8WMRB5J6TAUPAprv75xNWqz1LMg7XjDa8d8IMta4o6JyP3Hz-WDnpLxUHFodcx0EbCE9usv0D43UEk7b7Q_Qn8RLn61NAGobYzxLwLEsFmbvn6CxOT1IirWn5B7iinopZH2jHpEqCK2Zk_4vTGvbI80ipPzGXPM/s1192/60468332.jpg.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="784" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAoVfqxf2k_jsFPP2VvoaQceHmseW8WMRB5J6TAUPAprv75xNWqz1LMg7XjDa8d8IMta4o6JyP3Hz-WDnpLxUHFodcx0EbCE9usv0D43UEk7b7Q_Qn8RLn61NAGobYzxLwLEsFmbvn6CxOT1IirWn5B7iinopZH2jHpEqCK2Zk_4vTGvbI80ipPzGXPM/s320/60468332.jpg.png" width="210" /></a></div><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60468332-the-light-pirate?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_16" target="_blank">The Light Pirate</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> by Lily Brooks-Dalton</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Also planned in September is a longer visit with my parents, a quick trip to Buffalo to see friends, and two long weekends in NYC... one for an Ann Patchett event and another to go wedding dress shopping with our daughter who is getting married <i>next </i>summer. We're also finalizing plans for our daughter's wedding next month. So exciting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">How was your August? Any big plans for September? What was your favorite book last month?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><br /> <p></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-77639456871870422842023-09-03T14:03:00.000-04:002023-09-03T14:03:12.099-04:00A Labor Day Weekend Update<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XcVstGIM0nqBZRizHJj0-oovnrnYNwfR5CjW_EA3QY7XfQpacozU_Iz-Iy0PpJp1Z8XwEYlrxcf9yUOYN-tzCmOARC-O1FyqoPzHGHSlF624L0jDh1u_H_4AfwlWd-O-rPWvuyDGW1TE5BZRT2UijKkoIozYd-f9dtHAPfK3MC72Z4jFlWmz1OI9wCg/s4032/IMG_9616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XcVstGIM0nqBZRizHJj0-oovnrnYNwfR5CjW_EA3QY7XfQpacozU_Iz-Iy0PpJp1Z8XwEYlrxcf9yUOYN-tzCmOARC-O1FyqoPzHGHSlF624L0jDh1u_H_4AfwlWd-O-rPWvuyDGW1TE5BZRT2UijKkoIozYd-f9dtHAPfK3MC72Z4jFlWmz1OI9wCg/w300-h400/IMG_9616.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello book friends, happy Labor Day weekend! I'm savoring these last days of summer and, at the same time, looking ahead to a very full fall... especially with our daughter's wedding next month. On the reading front, I've been leaning into rereading old favorites. This has been a surprising, yet comforting, development.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Recent reading//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkbl-PqYGyVw7aJMRLwp0jPnXcUWWkvCEKnCNsQ8HOjIzmSHG8f-jrmfrd0aSo0UsTKn9NMMLIYXRg2EMcmdzHJCK9xWHPuyg1gztDiJrXf2MDqqvtCH0AXGBCh09jqhiK-13fr7FTOPtvlgukBp4mH2c_B6Ni6oeZwWFCZPUG-gXvsi1jICkgJ3OiiE/s318/816851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="318" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkbl-PqYGyVw7aJMRLwp0jPnXcUWWkvCEKnCNsQ8HOjIzmSHG8f-jrmfrd0aSo0UsTKn9NMMLIYXRg2EMcmdzHJCK9xWHPuyg1gztDiJrXf2MDqqvtCH0AXGBCh09jqhiK-13fr7FTOPtvlgukBp4mH2c_B6Ni6oeZwWFCZPUG-gXvsi1jICkgJ3OiiE/s1600/816851.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Interpreter-of-Maladies-Audiobook/B002V1BO1K?eac_link=rQg9V6tBGAV8&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B002V1BO1K&qid=dnnZzZzJ0L&eac_id=142-9753096-5173902_dnnZzZzJ0L&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Interpreter of Maladies</a></b> by Jhumpa Lahiri</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">narrated by Matilda Novak</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(an audio reread)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FHYLcG7l6Y1URC-JpxlgbxOL57wpdwtSzEFOPI5fJxqpol5goZbxvkD7GbcpQAn89bv06nj-LdhuLzRd_MVFkC2KnvErqjtnwtnbltW5OfantApb5Bn9p6hwZ-QdU_bB5zldOOZ0zwEWAx-qGeeCgntp-aIDuYi38FynvOrws5Kt9cvfnN-6K78O5mo/s500/51Y4rZq0XxL._SL500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FHYLcG7l6Y1URC-JpxlgbxOL57wpdwtSzEFOPI5fJxqpol5goZbxvkD7GbcpQAn89bv06nj-LdhuLzRd_MVFkC2KnvErqjtnwtnbltW5OfantApb5Bn9p6hwZ-QdU_bB5zldOOZ0zwEWAx-qGeeCgntp-aIDuYi38FynvOrws5Kt9cvfnN-6K78O5mo/s320/51Y4rZq0XxL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Lots-of-Candles-Plenty-of-Cake-Audiobook/B007P5OD7E?eac_link=dQRwqDtujdRK&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B007P5OD7E&qid=kemAMSLtl7&eac_id=142-9753096-5173902_kemAMSLtl7&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Anna Quindlen, narrated by the author</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another audio reread, this time a 2012 memoir in essays from a favorite author... and still 5 stars!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Current Reading//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGVYTjkqJTUtFmIO3gW24ErKo5R2IlVpAsKhORPBP2LsqtVNM2eyQnhQB6_pM4wAydBb0yhezIL29iyeNArr-nNmhhloK10FG_zEHIj-RHzRTeRyG3lTyBch68er97ZSpThgyzH1Z3OfoupFNiOVoHDZtxtsE2iGSptgrakLjn15nckXs-6LhQ4TSF3A/s2560/63429926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1707" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGVYTjkqJTUtFmIO3gW24ErKo5R2IlVpAsKhORPBP2LsqtVNM2eyQnhQB6_pM4wAydBb0yhezIL29iyeNArr-nNmhhloK10FG_zEHIj-RHzRTeRyG3lTyBch68er97ZSpThgyzH1Z3OfoupFNiOVoHDZtxtsE2iGSptgrakLjn15nckXs-6LhQ4TSF3A/s320/63429926.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63429926-the-covenant-of-water" target="_blank"><b></b></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63429926-the-covenant-of-water" target="_blank">The Covenant of Water</a></b> by Abraham Verghese</div></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">narrated by the author</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a long wait, there is finally a new novel from Abraham Verghese. <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3591262-cutting-for-stone" target="_blank">Cutting for Stone</a></i> was a favorite back in 2010 and now I'm happy to be immersed in his latest. It's a read/listen combination and I'm nearly halfway through this 775-page chunkster. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MbcIGrW5HV_BX6hhCz8gOEseGPRBg--PEgFNdr74czLpw4_SgCzqzCytH3GcldlaP-xh3KGyuk-xu1IKa9BwTx6G1rdtwNTkDf45twXM1Bwku819N-a2yNkztcJGjf3guilT1kzNcePc6fhXs3CnByTVHU2XadcW3c-6sRq-nm8081b52WjOHpgui2g/s400/54746196.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MbcIGrW5HV_BX6hhCz8gOEseGPRBg--PEgFNdr74czLpw4_SgCzqzCytH3GcldlaP-xh3KGyuk-xu1IKa9BwTx6G1rdtwNTkDf45twXM1Bwku819N-a2yNkztcJGjf3guilT1kzNcePc6fhXs3CnByTVHU2XadcW3c-6sRq-nm8081b52WjOHpgui2g/s320/54746196.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54746196-true-biz" target="_blank">True Biz</a></b> by Sara Nović</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the September selection for the <a href="https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com" target="_blank">MMD book club</a> and I'm at the 20% mark now. It's good so far, but I'm reaching for <i>The Covenant of Water </i> whenever I have time to read. I may just finish that one then give this book my full attention.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">On the blog//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2023/08/rereading-interpreter-of-maladies-by.html" target="_blank">Rereading INTERPRETER OF MALADIES by Jhumpa Lahiri</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2023/08/thoughts-on-tom-lake-by-ann-patchett.html" target="_blank">Thoughts on TOM LAKE by Ann Patchett</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">In the kitchen//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I kept things pretty simple this week with our favorite sheet pan <a href="https://www.budgetbytes.com/oven-fajitas/" target="_blank">Chicken Fajitas</a>, <a href="https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a32407897/baked-tofu-recipe/?epik=dj0yJnU9amM0dTFQajAwdzZ0VUdpZkp3YTFucXpFUEdPV1J3UGMmcD0wJm49N25UN3NFMG5hZEFnMHltUUZMUm53ZyZ0PUFBQUFBR1R6WTVn" target="_blank">Baked Tofu </a>(on a night my husband had a meeting!) <a href="https://www.skinnytaste.com/turkey-chili-taco-soup/" target="_blank">turkey chili taco soup</a>, and a strawberry/blueberry variation of this incredibly easy <a href="https://simply-delicious-food.com/easy-puff-pastry-blueberry-galette/" target="_blank">Puff Pastry Blueberry Galette</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The week ahead//</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Short weeks following long holiday weekends always feel a little off to me, even in retirement, but I'm working on an August reading wrap-up post, and waiting on a final estimate for bathroom remodels. Then it'll be time to finalize tile and fixture selection.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How was your week? What are you reading this holiday weekend?</div><br /><p></p>JoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com38