Quick Lit: Four Reviews

Hot Air by Marcy Dermansky 

A joyfully unhinged story of money, marriage, sex, and revenge unspools when a billionaire crashes his hot air balloon into the middle of a post-pandemic first date.  The publisher's description, especially the "joyfully unhinged" part, says it all. These characters exhibit the most outrageous behavior, and it makes for wildly compelling reading. Dermansky writes in short, easy to read sentences that kept me quickly turning the pages even at times when I wanted to look away. This definitely isn't a book for everyone, but I loved it and plan to read more by this author.

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put by Annie B. Jones 

I've been a fan of both Annie and From the Front Porch podcast for years. I preordered a copy of her debut essay collection from The Bookshelf and they included the free audiobook code from libro.fm. It was a pleasure getting to know Annie better and I enjoyed her reflections of living in a small town, owning an independent bookstore, and her faith journey. I highly recommend listening to this one! 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 

I have a soft spot for older protagonists and epistolary novels, and found myself immediately drawn to seventy-something Sybil Van Antwerp. She is a fascinating character and I loved learning about her life through the letters she wrote and received over the years... including several to famous authors.  I found myself slowing down to savor this novel and wish it had been even longer. Easily my favorite book of the year so far!! 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Annotated Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

edited by James L.W. West III, with an introduction by Amor Towles

Like many other Americans, I first read The Great Gatsby in a high school English class. Since then I've read it a couple more times, most recently in 2015. Gatsby turns 100 this year and The Library of America has released a gorgeous new annotated edition to commemorate the occasion. Earlier this month I read it once again as part of a Modern Mrs. Darcy community read. The annotations enriched my reading experience... and I still love The Great Gatsby!

 

 

The Sunday Salon: A Peaceful Week!

Hello friends, happy March! Despite the disturbing dramas playing out on our national stage, things were pretty quiet around here last week. I enjoyed the MMD author talk with Charmaine Wilkerson on zoom, but otherwise tried to keep my schedule light so I could carve out an hour or two of reading time each afternoon... and it worked. I managed to finish three books!

Recent reading//

Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain

This chunky nonfiction classic from 1933 chronicles Vera Brittain's experiences as a young woman during the years surrounding WWI. 

 "Abandoning her studies at Oxford in 1915 to enlist as a nurse in the armed services, Brittain served in London, in Malta, and on the Western Front. By war's end she had lost virtually everyone she loved. Testament of Youth is both a record of what she lived through and an elegy for a vanished generation. "

I read this book with Tina and, to be honest, it was a bit of a slog... primarily due to the language. Brittain was such an intelligent woman, but her words seemed formal, stilted, and dated. Though the book is less than a hundred years old, it often felt older. I sometimes wondered if my time might have been better spent just watching the movie. That being said, I still found her account of the army hospitals in Malta and on the Western Front and her other war experiences fascinating. In general, the war sections were much easier reading and moved faster than the pre and post war years. I expect the film version would focus more on her personal life and losses, so I might not have gotten as much military and medical insight if I'd gone the film route.

My knowledge of WWI is embarrassingly limited. This is the only account from a woman's perspective I've read and I appreciate that it broadened my horizons. Of course from that era rampant misogyny was expected, but what really struck me was the sheer tragedy of it all... an entire generation of altered and lost lives. I'm glad I read this book, but doubt it would appeal to most readers.

⭐⭐⭐💫

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson

This newly-published novel is Charmaine Wilkerson's follow-up to Black Cake. A short plot description  says, "the daughter of an affluent Black family pieces together the connection between a childhood tragedy and a beloved heirloom." That is true, but there is so much more to it. A dual time line takes us from 1800s southern plantations, pottery sheds, and various seaports to present day life in coastal CT, Massachucsetts, and a tiny village in France. The novel explores the effect childhood trauma on adult life, along with race, freedom, and identity. I was rooting for the main character Ebony (Ebby) Freeman and her family throughout the novel. I appreciated the author's writing and googled to learn more about enslaved potters in South Carolina.

My only reservation was that the short chapters, which I usually love, made the time hops feel a little choppy. As a result I initially had trouble following the various generations and characters in the historical storyline. But overall, I enjoyed my reading experience and ultimately liked this book more than Black Cake. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

I loved this book when I read it last summer. In July I wrote on goodreads:  Books, Maine, forgiveness and second chances. This feel-good story was a quick read - perfect for a summer weekend!  It was every bit as good the second time around, even though it wasn't a summer weekend. I reread this in preparation for a Modern Mrs. Darcy book club discussion and author chat later this month. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Current reading//

Three Apples Fell From the Sky by Narine Abgaryan, Lisa C. Hayden translator

I just started this last night, but think I'm going to enjoy it. More next week...

In the kitchen//

I've been on a salmon kick this winter,  preparing it almost weekly. Since my recipe repertoire is limited, I tried another new one last week -  Sheet Pan Crispy Honey Mustard Salmon with Broccoli from Gimme Some Oven. I love sheet pan dinners and this was no exception. My husband wasn't as wild about it... he said with all the "stuff" on top, he could hardly taste the salmon. But for me, that's part of the appeal ;-)

The week ahead//

Our other NYC daughter and son-in-law are here for the week. This time she is working remotely and he is on vacation. We have a few activities planned and a couple of dinner reservations, too. I'm sure there will be plenty of beach walks and maybe a bike ride or two.

How was your week? What have you been reading?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

 

The Sunday Salon: The Last Lazy Days of Summer

Hello, friends! After a whirlwind 24-hour midweek trip to NYC for our daughter's final wedding gown fitting, I'm happy to be spending a quiet weekend at home. Yesterday we attended a local parade/celebration in honor of the Fire Department's 100th anniversary and today I'm hoping to just read and relax. 

Covid is behind me at last, but it took a full two weeks to get rid of the lingering cough and fatigue this time. At least the recovery period allowed for time to finish off a few books.

RECENT READING//

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln 

by Doris Kearns Goodwin

I started this book at the end of May. My plan was to read it slowly over the course of a couple of months, but travel and Covid stretched that timeline. It feels like I've been talking about Goodwin and Lincoln here all summer so, now that I'm finished, I'll just add that this is one of the most amazing books I've ever read!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

The Annotated Persuasion by Jane Austen, David M. Shapard 

I've read Persuasion before, but this was the first time I've ever read an annotated edition of an Austen novel. After a bit of experimentation, I settled into a routine of reading the unannotated chapter on my kindle, then picking up my annotated paperback to read the notes. Even though I am familiar with Austen's language, the notes still added plenty of interesting historical context and enhanced my overall reading experience. I plan to look for another annotated edition when it's time for my next Austen reread.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dayswork by Chris Bachelder, Jennifer Habel 

This was unlike any novel I’ve ever read. In fact, I had to keep reminding myself that it actually was  a novel! It read more like the pandemic memoir of a Herman Melville enthusiast. Overall Dayswork  proved more interesting than enjoyable but, for the first time in my life, I briefly considered reading Moby Dick. And that's something! This is the September selection for MMD book club.

⭐⭐⭐

CURRENT READING//

 

September by Rosamunde Pilcher

I thought about waiting until September to get started, but I'm ready for a dose of Pilcher's coziness and comfort right now!  This will be a buddy read with Tina and Les.😀

In the kitchen//

I have a new recipe to share... finally! My favorite dish at one of our favorite Sanibel restaurants is Trout Amandine. I've been ordering it for years, but have never tried preparing trout at home... until last night. The trout was on sale at a local grocery, so I searched for a recipe and settled on this one from allrecipes. It was quick, simple, and tasted almost  as good as the restaurant! I'll definitely make it again.

The week ahead//

Next weekend is Labor Day?! Most of the local schools start classes this week but other than a couple of lunches with friends, I don't have much planned. One thing I would like to do is review my summer reading, figure out what I still might finish by the end Labor Day weekend, and start working on a fall plan. September is coming...

How was your week? What have you been reading?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

 

The Sunday Salon: April 14, 2024

Hello, friends! It's another sunny Sunday in SWFL. Add in a nice breeze with low humidity and it just doesn't get much better than this. We hit a milestone with post-hurricane repairs this week- our upstairs main living area, interior stairwell, and lower level foyer are completely done! At last. The lower level guest area is coming into the home stretch, too. What a relief!

Highlights last week included an amazing dinner out with old friends, the 52% solar eclipse (so cool, but why didn't we join my brother and SIL in Little Rock for totality?), plus some beach and reading time. 

Recent Reading//

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Even though I certainly read this book back in junior high or high school, large sections felt unfamiliar. I didn't like it much in my early teens and, all these years later, reading about Huck's adventures was still a bit of a slog. Switching to a read/listen combination made it a little easier. Elijah Wood’s narration (available free with an audible plus membership) was excellent. I don’t read abridged editions, but it might have been a better option in this case.

⭐⭐⭐

James by Percival Everett

As you probably already know, this book is a reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn  told from Jim's point of view... though he actually prefer the name James. And it is brilliant! It's also thrilling, subversive, and, at times, difficult to read. The author took some interesting liberties with the story in the second half and the conclusion literally took my breath away. 

This was another read/listen combination for me and the audio version narrated Dominic Hoffman was excellent. I'm curious to read more of Everett's work, possibly The Trees  next. Have you read it?

I should also mention that rereading Huck Finn certainly added to my appreciation of James, though a reread is not absolutely necessary. I would, however, recommend at least skimming an abridged edition. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Current reading//

Ladies' Lunch by Lore Segal

This short story collection by New Yorker  writer Lore Segal features 16 stories about a group of elderly women who have regularly met for lunch for more than 40 years. The stories deal with aging, loss, etc. and, as you might expect, the overall tone is somewhat melancholy. I'm glad it such a slim book.

About to start//

Girls and their Horses by Eliza Jane Brazier

This is the May selection at MMD book club - an unusual choice for them and for me. I have the ebook on my kindle. We'll see how it goes.

Later today// 

My plan is to spend some time on the beach this afternoon... walking, shelling, and reading. 

The week ahead// 

It should be a relatively quiet week ahead. Other than the expected delivery of the downstairs bathroom vanity, we don't have anything special planned... at least not yet. It should be a blissfully 'routine' week.😊

How was your week? What are you reading today?

June Mini-Reviews: The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell, Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, and The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

 

 The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell

Houghton Mifflin 2007

245 pages

Blackstone Audio, 2007

narrated by Anne Flosnik

7 hours and 18 minutes

Maggie O'Farrell was on my 2022 list of Must-Try Authors and this was the perfect place to start - a book that has it all! A propelling plot, fully-developed characters, and beautiful writing made this reading experience a real pleasure. Family secrets, a Victorian insane asylum, and a setting in Scotland further added to the appeal.

I started out reading this book on my kindle, but added in the audio when I discovered that it's currently free in the audible plus catalog. I listened on my walks and read in every spare minute at home. The perfect ending packs a punch! Now I'm ready for more Maggie O'Farrell. Do you have a favorite to recommend?

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

W. W. Norton Company, 2016

(originally published in 1966)

176 pages

Wide Sargasso Sea  has been on my wish list and my Classics Club list for years. The novel is, of course, an imagining of Bertha Rochester's life before she became the "madwoman in the attic" in Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. It offers the reader an opportunity to look at Brontë’s story from a different perspective. Since I reread Jane Eyre last summer, it made sense to pick up Rhys's novel while  the details are still fairly fresh in my mind.

The writing in Wide Sargasso Sea  is as lush and atmospheric as its Caribbean setting and is what I most appreciated about the novel. The story shifts viewpoints between Antoinette (as we learn Bertha prefers to be called) and a young Englishman we assume to be Rochester. Both are sympathetically portrayed, especially Antionette, but I found the storyline to be slow and a bit confusing at times. 

Pick this up if you love beautiful writing and are curious to learn how the "madwoman" may have come to inhabit Mr. Rochester's attic.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

St. Martin's Press, 2021

464 pages

audio edition narrated by Julia Whelan

Mcmillan Audio, 2021

15 hours and 2 minutes

This novel of the Dust Bowl novel is the July selection for a library book group  I plan to join next week.  It's about Elsa Martinelli, a farmer's wife in Texas who, after being abandoned by her husband, takes her two children and leaves to find work/a better life in California. 

This story is laden with misery... misery on the farm in Texas as the land gradually dies, misery on the journey west and in the filthy, disease-ridden migrant camps of California, and finally, the misery of surviving at the mercy of big cotton growers. Since this is a  Kirstin Hannah novel, the pages turn quickly... but the misery is unrelenting! 

I'm sure, for the most part, this is an accurate representation the time, but to me it bordered on being emotionally manipulative. So while I compulsively tore through The Four Winds, it mostly made me want to reread John Steinbeck's classic novel, The Grapes of Wrath. I need to be reminded how a master handles the same subject. I'm also planning to watch The Dust Bowl, Ken Burns PBS documentary.

Sanibel Sunday: October 10, 2021

Hello from sunny Florida! We are finally unpacked and organized, and we have a schedule for finishing the downstairs renovation. That's definitely progress. We made time to watch a couple of gorgeous sunsets on the beach, and enjoyed a meal on the patio of a favorite restaurant.

I also managed to finish two books. Both were short, but they provided some much-needed reading momentum. Overall, a good week.

Recent Reading//

Parnassus On Wheels by Christopher Morley

narrated by Nadia May

This old-fashioned, feel-good story will be appreciated by book lovers everywhere! Written in 1917, the publisher's brief summary says it all: 

Parnassus on Wheels is the story of a marvelous man, small in stature, wiry as a cat, yet Olympic in personality. Roger Mifflin is part pixie, part sage, part noble savage, and all God's creature. With his traveling book wagon, named Parnassus, he moves through the New England countryside of 1915 on an itinerant mission of enlightenment. Mifflin's delight in books and authors (if not publishers) is infectious. With his singular philosophy and bright eyes, he comes to represent the heart and soul of the book world.

A roaring good adventure yarn spiced with fiery roadside brawls, ...heroic escapes from death, and a rare love story, Roger Mifflin's story shows how bookselling can be one of the world's highest callings: dispelling ignorance while causing constant delight.

The audio is only 3 1/2 hours and is included free with an audible plus membership. I found it to be a truly delightful listen and was pleased to learn it is part of a two-book series. The Haunted Bookshop is now on my list.

An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed by Helene Tursten

The second book in the" Elderly Lady" series was released last week and it was so good to catch up with Maud, the 88-year-old serial killer! Again, the book is small-scale hardback consisting of several short stories. It opens with Maud embarking on a grand trip. The first few stories are memories, or Maud's musings, while the last two are longer and occur in the present. I loved reading about how Maud chooses to structure her golden years, but think you really need to read the first book, An Elderly Lady is Up To No Good, to fully appreciate this one. I'm hoping for a third book soon.

Current Reading//

Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen

The library came through! I was able to borrow this book the day it released and yesterday the audio version arrived via Overdrive. This is classic Franzen... the writing is just so good, the characters are the real thing. They are people from our hometowns; we probably knew them in high school. I can't wait to read more. And the audio version narrated by David Pittu is a pleasure to listen to on my morning walks, too. 

A Question//   

Have you seen anything about Nonfiction November? Is it happening this year? I haven't been around much lately and may have missed the announcement. I love that event!

Sunday Evening Update: Deb from Readerbuzz  sent a message to one of the hosts of Nonfiction November, Rennie of What's Nonfiction, asking about this year's event. Here is her reply:

Thanks for reaching out!

We’re a little late in getting an announcement out this year because some new hosts were being brought on board and took a bit more planning. But it’s happening :) and good timing - check back at my blog for the announcement tomorrow. Happy to hear people are already looking forward to it!

In the kitchen// 

It's great to be back in my own kitchen again! I  haven't been able to do this section of my weekly post for a while and it feels like I accumulated a lot  of new recipes over the summer. Now the trick is to try them all! 

First up was this Maple Brown Sugar Baked Oatmeal from Greens & Chocolate. It's much lower in sugar than another recipe I tried and tastes so good... try it topped with raspberries and a splash of skim milk. 

It's still pasta salad season in Florida and this Pesto Pasta Caprese is filled with flavors I love. I couldn't find the recipe online, so here is a photo of it instead. 

For main dishes, these two seafood recipes turned out really well. The Grilled Swordfish with a delicious lemon and herb marinade (from Katie Workman) was spiced up with a dash of Worcestershire sauce. We also enjoyed Skinnytaste's Asian Farro Medley with Salmon, but the next time I will dial back the sambal chili paste. This was the first time I''ve used sambal oelek and probably should have tried some first... very spicy! 

The week ahead// 

My BIL and his family have flown in for the week and are staying at the condo. They'll be spending some time with my FIL, but I'm sure we'll see plenty of them, too. Work will hopefully resume on our downstairs renovation. There isn't much more to do, but we will need that space for the holidays. And, of course, I'll continue to work my way through Crossroads...it's long, but so good!

That's it for my week. How was yours? What are you reading?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.

What Happened to September??

 

It's Sunday, October 3... What happened to September?? It certainly got away from me. We returned to Florida early due to my FIL's health concerns but, thankfully, things are stable again. While in NY, we celebrated my mother's birthday and were able to catch up with a couple of friends. Unfortunately, my hair appointment was cancelled due to a Covid outbreak at the salon (so glad I was scheduled after  the discovery!) and I decided against a mani/pedi, too. I'm growing increasingly frustrated with this lingering pandemic, especially since there are such effective measures to prevent the spread.

It probably goes without saying that September was not a great reading month for me. Once we left CT, my reading time evaporated. I only managed to read two books all month.

September Reading//

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

It's been nearly twenty years since I last read this classic and RIP seemed like a good opportunity to pick it up again. I decided to make it a  read/listen combination this time around and chose the audio version narrated by Thandiwe Newton. While the plot basics stayed with me over the years, many of the finer details had been forgotten. I enjoyed rediscovering several elements of the story, and adding audio to the mix definitely enhanced my overall experience.

Also in September, Novel Pairings podcast offered a two-part discussion which helped me think about the novel from a fresh perspective. It felt like true Jane Eyre  immersion last month... and I loved it! 

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

After enjoying Lucy Foley's The Guest List  last summer, I wanted to read  something from her backlist for RIP.  In The Hunting Party,  a group of college friends, now in their 30s, travels to a remote lodge in the Scottish Highlands to celebrate the New Year. Unfortunately, someone turns up dead. The story is told from alternating perspectives and the reader doesn't even learn who is dead until well into the second half of the book. Toward the end, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! I enjoyed this book even more than The Guest List  and look forward to the author's next novel coming sometime in 2022.

Current Listening//

Parnassus on Wheels

by Christopher Morley, narrated by Nadia May

Another classic, this bookish novel is short, humorous, and the audio is included in my audible plus membership. I'll finish it on my walk tomorrow morning.

Current Reading//

I'll start something in print tomorrow... hopefully one of the new releases I'm dying to get my hands on.

October Reading Possibilities//

A slew of new novels by favorite authors will be released this month. We'll see how I do with library holds, but I'm sure there will at least one trip to the bookstore this month! 

An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed by Helene Tursten  (10/5)

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles (10/5)

Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen (10/5)

Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout (10/19)

The Week Ahead//

Today my SIL is coming over for dinner and tomorrow we have appointments for flu shots. There's still a little more unpacking and organizing left... and a lot of yard work to do, but I'm looking forward to more reading and blogging time ahead. 

How was your September? What was your favorite book of the month?

Book Brief: The Street by Ann Petry

The Street by Ann Petry

The Street, originally published in 1946, is a lesser-known classic of the Harlem Renaissance. I'd never heard of it until Now Read This (the PBS News Hour book club) selected it as their May 2020 read. It's also the first novel written by a black American woman to sell more than a million copies. 

The main character is Lutie Johnson, a beautiful, young, black single mother. The story, set in Harlem, revolves around Lutie's daily struggles and frustrations as she strives to make a better life for herself and her son... while trying to protect them both from the dangers of "the street." 

I never got to this book in 2020, but knew I would eventually. This summer we are renting a house in Old Saybrook, CT. While researching the town, I found Ann Petry listed among notable residents. Petry's father, a pharmacist, opened the first pharmacy is Old Saybrook. Ann also became a pharmacist. In 1938 Petry left Old Saybrook to pursue a literary career in New York, published her novel in 1946, and, in an effort to shun publicity, returned to Old Saybrook in 1947. 

As many of you know, I am a retired hospital pharmacist so that connection, along with the location, made this the perfect time to finally read the book.

Even though The Street  was written in 1946, it has a surprisingly contemporary feel. The challenges Lutie  faces, especially the overt racism, seem insurmountable. As a result, a sense of frustration and hopelessness pervades the work. There is also anger. In fact, I've never read a novel that expresses anger at white people so directly. It's not surprising that this book hasn't been widely read over the years... perhaps it should be.

Rating: 

  but inching closer to 5 stars as I continue to think about it