An Overdue Review: NINE BLACK ROBES by Joan Biskupic

Nine Black Robes: Inside the Supreme Court's Drive to the Right and Its Historic Consequences

by Joan Biskupic

William Morrow, 2023

416 pages

Audio edition narrated by Kristen Potter

Harper Audio, 2023

13 hours and 11 minutes

This is an excellent book! Joan Biskupic has presented us with a well-researched, comprehensive, and objective look at the Supreme Court from the period following Antonin Scalia's death in February 2016 (when the senate chose not to take up Barak Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland because it was too close to a presidential election), to the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September 2020 and the confirmation of her replacement just days before a presidential election, and through last year's Supreme Court term. 

Regular readers of this blog know I'm a Supreme Court junkie. I've read several biographies (including two by Biskupic) of different justices, as well as a few other books about the court in general. This book has a broad focus as Biskupic chronicles both the work of the Court and events surrounding the Court. 

Events surrounding the Court include death and retirement of justices, selection and vetting of new candidates, the confirmation process, the Covid pandemic, the working relationship between justices, and more. 

The work of the Court delves into specific cases. Biskupic provides relevant background information, including the path cases take prior to appearing on the Court's docket. She covers oral arguments, behind the scenes negotiations ahead of rulings, Court decisions with vote counts, and significant quotes from judgements and dissents. 

There is a lot of information here to absorb and digest. I found that a read/listen combination worked best for me as I read the book slowly, over a longer period of time. 

Most of the information in this book is not new. It has been extensively presented over the years - in books, newspapers, magazines, online news sources, as well as podcasts and on television. Sometimes though, unless you're paying very close attention, it can be hard to wade through the content, put it all in context, and see trends as they develop. Reading through this history, thoroughly and logically presented in one book, was eye-opening.

This is an important book. It may require some patience and dedication to get through, especially if you are unfamiliar with the specific cases discussed, but I found it to be an interesting and extremely worthwhile read. Very highly recommended.

The First Sunday Salon of Summer: June 25, 2023

Hello, friends. Summer is officially here and all the planned activities, not to mention summer reading, have kicked into high gear. It's been a full month and, sadly, the blog has been neglected for a few weeks. Today's post is mostly a quick catch-up. 

At the beginning of the month we spent a week with my parents in central New York. It was so good to be with them and spend time with my siblings, niece and nephews. We also got to see our daughter, her fiancé, and the grandpup... they drove up from NYC for the weekend. 

Back in CT we have been exploring different parts of the state (the photo above is in Mystic) and enjoying our own town, too - concerts on the green, dinner with friends, and walks along the coast.

As for reading...

Did I mention that I joined Anne Bogel's  Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club (MMD) last month? It's something I've considered for a while, but took the plunge so I could get Anne's annual Summer Reading Guide. So far, the club has had a positive impact on my overall quality and satisfaction from reading.  I've gotten some great book recommendations (as if I don't already get plenty from all of you!), have participated in live events and author chats, and am currently involved in a small group read of  Lonesome Dove.

Recent reading//

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister

narrated by a full cast

I can't resist books about books and this one was a solid listening experience. It's basically a collection of stories linked by each character's involvement/experience with a single book. I gave it 4 stars and plan to post a more complete review soon.

The Great Displacement: Climate Change and the Next American Migration

by Jake Bittle

We've all familiar with climate change, but this book brings us to ground zero - hurricanes in the Florida Keys, wildfires in California, floods in Houston, water shortages in Arizona, rising sea levels in Norfolk, VA, and more. It provides plenty of background information, along with first hand accounts from residents of each area. There is already a surprising number of "climate change refugees" in the US. This book makes for compelling and sobering reading... 5 stars, for sure. I'll have more to say in a review.

Current reading//

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

I've been wanting to read this book for years, maybe even decades. Last summer I finally bought a copy and this summer made it my reading project. As luck would have it, Lonesome Dove  was also chosen as a Community Pick at MMD, so I'm now reading with a small group. We're on week four and I've made it to page 365... of nearly 900. Westerns are not generally my thing and this took a good hundred pages to pull me in, but now I'm loving it! The audio version (36 hours) is available on hoopla, so I've made this a read/listen combination.

The Postcard by Anne Berest

This is one of the July selections at MMD book club. I have the hardcover on my shelf, but found the audio available on hoopla and started listening on my walk this morning. There are a lot of very positive reviews out there, but it's too soon for me to share even first impressions. 

The week ahead//

We are gearing up for the 4th of July. Our daughter, her fiancé, and puppy will be here later in the week and will stay through the holiday. Catching up on book reviews and blog posts is also high on my list...

How have you been lately? 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.

May Reading Wrap-Up and Summer Begins!

Hello, friends... summer is here! After a week of sunshine and warm temperatures, it turned cloudy, windy, and (by Florida standards) positively frigid in CT this weekend. It was 55 degrees when I took this photo after dinner Saturday night and, with a strong breeze, it felt much colder! Fingers crossed it warms up again this week.

May reading wrap-up//

I finished a grand total of two books last month. A record low, I think. But as hurricane repair continued on our FL home, we were getting packed and organized for our trip north... and then there was the trip itself. At least both books were 5-star reads.

• Nine Black Robes: Inside the Supreme Court's Drive to the Right and Its Historic Consequences by Joan Biskupic
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (reread)

I started the month with nonfiction. Nine Black Robes was excellent and I still plan to write a brief review. Somehow May got away from me...

Next I tried a couple of novels, but set them both aside. A new book by an author I generally enjoy just didn't grab me. After nearly 40% of Künstlers in Paradise by Cathleen Schine, I didn't really care what happened to the characters, so gave up. Then my library hold of Happy Place by Emily Henry, a highly anticipated new release, arrived. That took only a chapter or two to decide it was too light for my current mood.

The dreaded reading slump was descending... and I turned to Jane Austen. Jane's novels never let me down and it was high time for another reread of Pride and Prejudice anyway. Slump averted!

Current reading//

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

Last week I started a book that's been on my TBR (to be read) list for literally decades. I'm reading the nearly 1000 page tome over the next eight weeks or so with a small group from the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club. After our first week's "assignment" of about 100 pages, I've already developed a soft spot for these characters and look forward to reading more.

Current Listening//

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister

narrated by a full cast

After six months with an injured knee, I've finally resumed my daily walks with an audiobook. Those walks are shorter and a little slower, but they are happening and I couldn't be happier! My first selection is a book Tina raved about earlier in the spring.

I've enjoyed a few of Bauermeister's earlier books and was further tempted by this description:

One book. Nine readers. Ten changed lives. New York Times bestselling author Erica Bauermeister’s No Two Persons is “a gloriously original celebration of fiction, and the ways it deepens our lives.”

When I discovered the audio was a multi-narrator production, I decided to go that route. At the halfway mark, I am thoroughly enjoying it!

In the kitchen//

I tried a new recipe last week for Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas from BudgetBytes. They're simple to make and taste delicious. Add any toppings or accompaniments you like... we just served them with a side salad. We love fajitas and this would probably work just as well with shrimp, steak, or even tofu.

Blueberries were on sale last week, so I pulled out the recipe for Easy Puff Pastry Blueberry Galette from Simply Delicious. I made this multiple times last summer with all sorts of fruit variations. A tasty treat!

The week ahead//

We've been working on the flower beds here and have at least one more trip to the garden store this week. A rose bush didn't make it through the winter and needs to be replaced, and I'd really like to add some peonies on the sunny side of the house.

Later in the week, we'll drive to central NY to see my parents. One of our NYC daughters, along with her fiancé and the grandpup will join us, too!

How was your week? What have you been reading lately?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

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

The Sunday Salon: It's Memorial Day Weekend!

Hello, friends. It's Memorial Day weekend, and we are back in Connecticut. The above photo was taken on our last evening in Sanibel. It made me happy to finally see a few whisps of sea oats returning to our dunes. Imagine what it will look like after an entire rainy season!

Our trip north was, thankfully, uneventful. The highlight was a stop in Pennsylvania to visit my brother and his family. We haven't spent much time together since before the pandemic, so this was a real treat. We enjoyed a day at Longwood Gardens... such a beautiful place! It has inspired me to get to work on the small flower gardens here. More on that project throughout the summer...

The first few days back have been all about cleaning, doing laundry, getting groceries... the usual drill. This morning we took a break to go out to brunch. I'm going to check in on my book-loving friends' blogs next, then spend the rest of the afternoon reading in my zero gravity lounger.

Recent reading//

I haven't had any reading time in over a week, so there's nothing to report here. Prior to the trip I tried a couple of books, but just couldn't focus on anything... not even a light beach read!

Current reading//

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

When the going gets tough, I can always count on Jane! Yes, I am reading Pride and Prejudice  yet again...  and loving every single sentence. The audio edition narrated by Rosamund Pike is available free in the audible plus catalog, so I've even listened to parts of it this time around. I'm nearly 80% done and plan to finish today. It is still my favorite novel!

Up next//

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

This book, beloved by so many readers, has been on my "to read" list for literally decades... and I'm finally going to tackle it this summer! I'm not really into westerns but from what I understand, that doesn't seem to matter. My kindle is loaded and ready to go, plus I found the audio available on hoopla. I'll get started this week... wish me luck!

The week ahead//

Tomorrow we'll go to the local Memorial Day parade, continue cleaning out the flower beds, and prepare the traditional barbecue. I'm certain there will be at least a couple of trips to the garden store this week, too.

How was your week? What have you been reading?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

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

 

A Mother's Day Sunday Salon: May 14. 2023

Hello, friends, and Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! We started our day with a short beach walk and a delicious brunch at home. This afternoon I'm planning some quiet reading time on the lanai... something that hasn't happened in what feels like a very long time. Later on, we'll go out for dinner.

The past week has been a buzz of activity around here. The big news is that we have sheetrock! After a couple of very loud days, they finished hanging sheetrock downstairs. This week they'll get it ready for priming, then eventually painting. The exterior garage wall that blew out during the hurricane has been rebuilt, stuccoed and is now ready for paint. We're still waiting for the siding above it to be replaced. It's a process!

Recent reading//

Nine Black Robes: Inside the Supreme Court's Drive to the Right and Its Historic Consequences by Joan Biskupic

An excellent book! This is a comprehensive, objective look at the Supreme Court from roughly the death of Antonin Scalia in February 2016 through the most recent term. There is a lot of information here, so I read it slowly. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the Court. I'm planning to post a full review later this week.

Currently NOT reading//

Künstlers in Paradise by Cathleen Schine

I've enjoyed a few of Cathleen Schine's novels in the past, but had a hard time getting into this one. Perhaps that's because I was wholly absorbed in the Supreme Court book above, had a houseguest, and contractors were in and out all day. Anyway, it finally grabbed me around the 30% mark, but then the ebook was clawed back to the library at 40%. Now I'm back on the hold list... we'll see what happens when my turn comes again.

About to start//

Happy Place by Emily Henry

Emily Henry has been hit or miss for me. I loved Book Lovers  last summer, but abandoned People We Meet on Vacation the year before. My current mood likely has a lot to do with any reaction, but I think something light and fun is in order this week!

The week ahead//

After a hurricane-shortened season, this will be our last full week in Florida. The winter/spring has been all about clean-up and recovery, plus just enough time with friends to keep us all sane. There is still plenty more to do when we come back but, considering the extent of the damage, I am pleased with the progress.

I'm hoping to post a review for Nine Black Robes  sometime this week and then I'll check in from CT at the end of the month.

How was  your week? What have you been reading?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

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

Sanibel Sunday: May 7, 2023

Hello, friends. It's another sunny Sunday on Sanibel, but rainy season is right around the corner. We visited the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge this morning in hopes of seeing the roseate spoonbills we've missed all season. A facebook post reported them on a sandbar yesterday morning, along with majestic white pelicans. Unfortunately we did not spot either species today, but did see a few yellow-crowned night herons, racoons, an alligator, and assorted ducks. We were among the only people around, so it was an incredibly peaceful morning.

I appreciated the stillness after another week of construction, appointments, and helping my SIL prepare for her move. Some of her furniture will be delivered to our house later this week to replace what we lost on our lower level from Hurricane Ian. With all of that, I did not finish any books last week.

Current reading//

Nine Black Robes by Joan Biskupic

As I mentioned last week, I've been limiting myself to a chapter per day with this book. There really is a lot of information to absorb, plus reading much more than that tends to make me angry. Just one chapter and the epilogue left, so I'll finish within the next day or two.

Künstlers in Paradise by Cathleen Schine

I considered setting this novel aside early on, but I've enjoyed a couple of Schine's other novels so persevered. It started paying off around the 30% mark. I'm 40% in now.

On the blog//

Thoughts on IF WE'RE BEING HONEST by Cat Shook

In the kitchen//

Since the Coconut Chicken Fingers with Bang Bang Sauce was such a hit a couple of weeks ago, I tried another Half Baked Harvest  recipe for Baked Crunchy Pretzel Honey Balsamic Chicken, which is basically just a variation. It was good, but nowhere near the crowd pleaser of the previous week. None of us really liked the sauce much, which was surprising since I usually love a honey balsamic combination. I think it would have been much better with a light honey mustard sauce. Next time...

The week ahead//

A night out with friends, a couple of appointments, furniture delivery from my SIL's place, and a farewell dinner before my SIL's Saturday departure. We've also been assured that the lower level sheetrock will be hung this week... my fingers are crossed!

That's it for my week... what's new with you? What have you been reading?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

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

Thoughts on IF WE'RE BEING HONEST by Cat Shook

 

If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook

Celadon Books, 2023

304 pages

Motivation for reading:  The publisher recommends this title for fans of We Are the Brennans  by Tracey Lange and All Adults Here  by Emma Straub - both of which were 4-star reads for me. Plus, Annie Jones reviewed it favorably on her From the Front Porch  podcast. 

Source: goodreads giveaway

Publisher's summary:

When Gerry, the beloved Williams patriarch, dies suddenly, his grandchildren flock from across the country to the family home in Eulalia, Georgia. But when Gerry’s best friend steps up to the microphone to deliver his eulogy, the funeral turns out unlike anyone expected. The cousins, left reeling and confused, cope with their fresh grief and various private dramas. Delia, recently heartbroken, refuses to shut up about her ex. Her sister Alice, usually confident, flusters when she spots her high school sweetheart, hiding a secret that will change both of their lives. Outspoken, affable Grant is preening in the afterglow of his recent appearance on The Bachelorette and looking to reignite an old flame with the least available person in town. Meanwhile, his younger brother Red, unsure of himself and easily embarrassed, desperately searches for a place in the boisterous family.

The cousins’ eccentric parents are in tow, too, and equally lost—in love and in life. Watching over them all is Ellen, Gerry’s sweet and proper widow, who does her best to keep her composure in front of the leering small town.

Clever and completely original, If We’re Being Honest  reminds you that while no one can break your heart like your family can, there’s really no one better to put you back together.

My thoughts:

This book opens with the most memorable funeral scene I have ever encountered! Beyond that, the novel is filled with family secrets, drama, and, perhaps most importantly, love. 

The patriarch has died and the plot, which takes place over the course of a week, involves his widow, their three children, and four adult grandchildren. A family tree is included, which I found helpful in keeping track of the smaller family units as I got to know the characters... and my affection for this novel grew right alongside my understanding of those characters.

Although the siblings' stories were interesting, I think the four grandchildren (late 20s-early 30s) took center stage. They are all struggling with various issues and assorted secrets you might expect from this age group. But what really stood out was the genuine affection and caring the cousins exhibited toward one another... such a pleasure to read.

Perhaps the ending was wrapped up a little too perfectly, but this novel was still a delight. I truly enjoyed being present for a week in the life of the Williams clan!

My rating:

Somewhere between 3.5 and 4, but going with 4 because I enjoyed the reading experience.