This Week's Read: Passing by Nella Larsen

It was the last letter in Irene Redfield's little pile of  morning mail. After her other ordinary and clearly directed letters the long envelope of thin Italian paper with its almost illegible scrawl seemed out of place and alien. And there was, too, something mysterious and slightly furtive about it. A thin sly thing which bore no return address to betray the sender. Not that she hadn't immediately known who its sender was. Some two years ago she had one very like it in outward appearance. Furtive, but in some peculiar, determined way a little flaunting. Purple ink. Foreign paper of extraordinary size.

Passing
by Nella Larsen

Here's another book that's been on my wish list for years. My reason for picking it up now? The podcast Novel Pairings  - a podcast dedicated to "making the classics readable, relevant, and fun" - will discuss it on their next episode. An interesting feature of each podcast episode is the pairing of a classic with contemporary novels with similar themes. I have a feeling they'll be pairing Passing  with Britt Bennett's new novel The Vanishing Half... which I plan to read shortly.

This classic from the Harlem Renaissance is described as "an electrifying story of two women who cross the color line in 1920s New York." I'm halfway through this short novel and wondering why I've waited so long.


What do you think? Would you continue reading?

First Chapter/First Paragraph/Tuesday Intro  is hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews.

Mixing it Up: Late June Mini-Reviews

Deciding what to read during a pandemic is not easy. Heavy issue novels just weren't working for me, but neither was anything too fluffy. I seem to have found a nice groove by mixing things up... an audio memoir, a short story collection, a classic, and a beach read.

Let's get right to my late June mini-reviews...

Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls

by T Kira Madden, narrated by the author

This beautifully written coming-of-age memoir, told through a series of short vignettes, is brutally honest, raw, gritty, and sad... yet somehow achingly tender, too. It's a memoir of trauma, loneliness, confusion, families, and forgiveness.

Madden grew up in a loving household in Boca Raton, FL, yet her parents continually battled alcohol and drug addiction. She was often left alone to deal with the constant barrage of pressures inflicted upon preteens/teens in our society.

Hearing the author narrate her own story was especially impactful. I'm glad I decided to listen!

You Think It, I'll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld

I don't read many short story collections, but it may be time to start! This was one of the many books I grabbed off the library shelf just prior to the pandemic shutdown. It took several months to finally read it - wish I'd picked it up in April.

The stories, mostly about relationships, all managed to draw me in immediately. They show average people as they really are... which isn't always flattering. The writing is excellent - sharp and without an unnecessary word. I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite. Now it's time to try one of Sittenfeld's novels. Do you have a favorite to recommend?

Passing by Nella Larsen

This classic novella of the Harlem Renaissance was originally published in 1929.  It's a story of two childhood friends who reunite after many years. Irene is shocked to discover her friend, Clare, has been "passing" as white. Clare misses her old community and is eager to reestablish a connection, but must do so behind her husband's back. Irene, afraid of the consequences of such actions, is reluctant to rekindle their friendship. The conclusion of the book is startling, to say the least.

Larsen's writing seemed ponderous at times, but still completely readable. The reader is allowed into Irene's head enough to make it reminiscent of The Awakening, at least for me. Larsen's autobiographical first novel, Quicksand, is now on my reading list.

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

Elin Hilderbrand is the queen of the beach read and, now that summer is here, what better way to round out the month? Her latest novel is a Same Time, Next Year story spanning 27 years, 1993 to 2020. There isn't much more to say other than I loved it.... set aside a sunny weekend and give it a try.

Bring on July!

A Monday Update: January 21, 2019

This photo was NOT taken today. This morning there's a blanket draped over my lap, the heat is on, and a second mug of steaming coffee is warming my fingers... and I'm still in Sanibel! The sun is shining, so I'm not complaining, but I feel bad for my friends and family in central NY where the wind chill is hovering around twenty below zero this morning!

It's been a good week here on the island - morning walks listening to RBG, a few bike rides (still on my old beach cruiser) and we picked up my sister-in-law at the airport on Wednesday. She's staying with my father-in-law for a few weeks, so there's even more family around.

Finished this week//

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life 

by Jane Sherron De Hart

I've read other books about RBG and this is, by far, the most comprehensive and complex - probably not for the reader with just a passing interest. Even as a read/listen combination, it took me nearly three weeks to finish. The audio version was excellent. It helped pull me through drier, more complex sections. Suzanne Toren was the perfect choice to narrate. I have much  more to say about the book, so look for a full review in a week or so.


Current reading//

Grand Hotel

by Vicki Baum

My "classic in translation" for 2019's Back to the Classics challenge, I didn't spend much time with this book last week. But that's more a reflection of the all-consuming nature of the RBG biography than on my level of interest or enjoyment here.

The Power of One

by Bryce Courtenay

This is the January selection for my book club back in NY. Obviously I won't be there for the meeting, but the book is very highly rated, was already on my radar, AND the recommending member said it was her favorite book of 2018. It's over 500 pages, so I used an audible credit to make it a read/listen combination. Just started last night, but so far I think it's going to be a winner!


On the blog//

Top Ten Tuesday: 2018 Author Discoveries


In the kitchen//

Remember that new recipe for lentil soup I had in the slow cooker last week? Well, it was really good! We gave half of it to my FIL to take home, so we had enough left for just one lunch. All three of us wanted it again, so I've already made a second batch.

In an effort to use up the miso I bought for the Maple and Miso Sheet-Pan Salmon, I decided to try the New York Times  Miso Chicken recipe. It was good enough to make again, but I much prefer their Roasted Chicken Provençal... a family favorite! I'm looking for more recipes that use miso if you have a favorite to share.

I'm still loving Whole Foods, too. Last week I came across a recipe for a Lentil Greek Salad with Dill Sauce that called for black (?!) lentils. I'd never heard of black lentils before but, sure enough, there they were on the shelf at Whole Foods. Guess what we're having for lunch this week?



Hope all is well in your part of the world. Did you get hit by Winter Storm Harper? What are you reading this week?

The Sunday Salon: Goodbye, January!

 

It's hard to believe January is ending. What a month, right? From the horror of the Capitol Insurrection, to the hope of the Inauguration, to the reality of a deep partisan divide in Washington and across the country, and a pandemic that is far from under control... there is an awful lot of work ahead. I pray we're all up to the task.

It's been a good week here... very chilly (for Florida) though. I  actually wore gloves on my walk a couple of mornings ago! We saw my FIL twice (outdoors and socially distant) and he continues to improve. I attended a couple of virtual bookish events. Both were excellent, and I really hope these continue after the pandemic.

Current reading// 

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson 

This book was published ten years ago. Why has it taken me this long to pick it up? At over 600 pages, it's certainly a time commitment... but it's excellent. I'm nearly 40% into this read/listen combination. 

This Week's Bookish Events//

The T Book Club: A Conversation on ‘The Custom of the Country’ with author Claire Messud.  The T Book club is sponsored by NYTimes T Magazine and consists of a series of articles and then a discussion about a classic work of American literature. Ideally, participants read the novel and articles prior to the event. 

For this event, features director Thessaly LaForce introduced Messud, who gave a presentation on the novel. The comment box was open to participants who typed questions or made comments the entire time. Afterwards, the two chat, and LaForce posed questions raised by the audience. You can view the 45-minute presentation here... you may need to be a NYTimes subscriber.

The next selection, Passing by Nella Larsen, will be discussed March 9 and features Brit Bennett.

Doubleday presented Two Writers Talking: Family Secrets with Bob Kolker and Dani Shapiro. This was such an interesting discussion! Bob Kolker is the author of Hidden Valley Road (which I have not read) and Dani Shapiro is the author of Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love, which was my favorite nonfiction read of 2019. The event was free. You can find out about other events by visiting Knopf Doubleday's virtual events landing page.

On the blog//     Top Ten Tuesday: 2020 Author Discoveries 

Books Read in January//

Rachel to the Rescue by Elinor Lipman 3.5/5

A Quiet Life in the Country by T.E. Kinsey 4/5

The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio 4.5/5

Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole  3/5

The Fortunate Ones by Ed Tarkington 4.5/5

The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton (reread) 5/5

February Reading, Tentative Plans//

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

Shelf subscription selection (can't wait to see what it is!)

Middlemarch by George Eliot (reread)

In the kitchen//

My sister sent me this recipe for Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken and I had to try it right away because... bacon! It was really good, but probably more of an appetizer than dinner. I could picture serving these on wooden skewers at a cocktail party... remember those?!? I dialed back the spice a little bit, too.

I made this Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread because my FIL likes something sweet for breakfast a few times a week. It was quick and easy, and I don't think you even need the glaze. I needed to bake it for a few minutes longer than suggested.

So that was my week. How was yours? 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.

The Boys in the Boat by David James Brown

The Boys in the Boat 
by David James Brown
narrated by Edward Herrmann
Penguin Audio, 2013
14 hours and 25 minutes
source: library

Publisher's summary:
Daniel James Brown's robust book tells the story of the University of Washington's 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the boys defeated elite rivals first from eastern and British universities and finally the German crew rowing for Adolf Hitler in the Olympic games in Berlin, 1936.

The emotional heart of the story lies with one rower, Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not for glory, but to regain his shattered self-regard and to find a place he can call home. The crew is assembled by an enigmatic coach and mentored by a visionary, eccentric British boat builder, but it is their trust in each other that makes them a victorious team. They remind the country of what can be done when everyone quite literally pulls together - a perfect melding of commitment, determination, and optimism.

Drawing on the boys' own diaries and journals, their photos and memories of a once-in-a-lifetime shared dream, The Boys in the Boat is an irresistible story about beating the odds and finding hope in the most desperate of times - the improbable, intimate story of nine working-class boys from the American west who, in the depths of the Great Depression, showed the world what true grit really meant.

My thoughts:

Who would guess a book about crew could be so exciting?  Before beginning, despite living on a lake where local college crew trains and the coxswain's voice is frequently heard drifting across the water, I knew next to nothing about rowing. In addition, I wasn't especially interested in learning more. So when I received an audio review copy, I promptly donated it to the library. Glowing reviews began to appear soon afterwards and lingering suspicions that I'd made a mistake grew.

When my book club decided to read The Boys in the Boat, I borrowed my previously donated copy, began to listen, and found myself completely enthralled by the end of the prologue. As the blurb notes, one of the rowers, Joe Rantz, is at the emotional heart of this story, but the book includes so much more. The reader/listener gets to know the coaches and the other men in the boat. We witness their hard work, dedication, determination, and, most importantly, learn what it means to function as a team.

I also enjoyed the book's strong feeling of time and place - from the economic hardships of the 1930's and pre-war tensions, to the college crew scene with its historic traditions and rivalries. The descriptions of the actual races, whether on New York's Hudson River or for Olympic gold in Berlin, are among the most exciting passages I've experienced on audio. At times, it felt like I could scarcely breathe! I must mention my delight at the passing mention of Louis Zamproini (from Unbroken), too.

This book would be a great fit for fans of crew or the Olympics, of course, but I think it has a much broader appeal and would encourage anyone interested in adding more nonfiction to their reading mix to give The Boys in the Boat a try!

A note on the audio production:
Edward Herrmann has an excellent voice for nonfiction. I found his performance here, as in Unbroken by Lauren Hillenbrand, to be perfectly paced, engaging, and exciting, without being overly dramatic.

As always with audio nonfiction, be sure to take a look at the print edition, too. You won't want to miss the photographs.

My rating:

Which Novella Would You Choose?

Novellas are everywhere this month. For a fun twist on Bibliophile By the Sea's Tuesday Intro meme, I'm asking you to help me choose which one to read next.

"Lily, the caretaker's daughter, was literally run off her feet. Hardly had she brought one gentleman into the little pantry behind the office on the groundfloor and helped him off with his overcoat when the  wheezy halldoor bell clanged again and she had to scamper along the bare hallway to let in another guest. It was well for her she had not to attend to the ladies also. But Miss Kate and Miss Julia had thought of that and had converted the bathroom upstairs into a ladies' dressingroom. Miss Kate and Miss Julia were there, gossiping and laughing and fussing, walking after each other to the head of the stairs, peering down over the banisters and calling down to Lilt to ask her who had come."

The Dead
by James Joyce

"There had been a war fought and won and the great city of the conquering people was crossed with triumphal arches and vivid with thrown flowers of white, red, and rose. All through the long spring days the returning soldiers marched up the chief highway behind the strump of drums and the joyous, resonant wind of the brasses, while merchants and clerks left their bickerings and figurings and, crowding to the windows, turned their white-bunched faces gravely upon the passing battalions."

May Day
by F. Scott Fitzgerald

So, based on the opening paragraph, would you choose The Dead or May Day?
Visit Bibliophile By the Sea for more Tuesday Intro posts.

A Short Break...

It will be quiet here by the lake for several more days. We are saddened by the death of my favorite Aunt. Even though her health had been failing for the past few years, her passing was still somewhat unexpected.

I'll be back next week...

Tuesday Intro: City of Women

"The Blind man taps his cane rhythmically. Three taps, three taps, three taps to gain the attention of passing Berliners. He is a cadaverous sentry with a shaved pate under an old soldier’s cap, selling pencils from a canister strung about his neck. A pyramid of dots are stamped onto the armband he wears, and his round black goggles are like two holes poked through the day, letting the night bleed through. Sigrid fishes out the coin purse from her bag as she emerges from the U-Bahn stairwell, and drops a few groschen into his cup, “Bless you,” he rasps in answer to the jangle. “Please choose a pencil.” She thanks him, but when he turns his head in the direction of her voice, something behind the blindness of those goggles seems to mark her. She puts the pencil into her handbag and crosses the street at the signal."

City of Women
by David R. Gillham
Narrated by Suzanne Bertish

My current audiobook (on CD in the car) is both tense and intense. Enjoyment is not really the correct word, but it sure is compelling.

Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening paragraph(s). Feel free to grab the banner and play along.

Speaking of Series...

I'm a day behind, but this week's Top Ten Tuesday is all about series. Specifically series we'd like to begin. By nature, I am a series avoider. They require more of  a commitment from the reader, you have to read them in order, the books are often very long, etc. It would be a struggle for me to come up with ten series I'd like to start, but I can certainly come up with five ... and then for good measure, five more I need to continue.

Series to begin:

Some Luck: A Novel by Jane Smiley 

This new release is the first book of a planned trilogy and the reviews sound promising.

Les Rougon Macquart by Emile Zola

I loved Therese Raquin  and have read #11 in the series, The Ladies' Paradise.  Now I want to go back to book one, The Fortune of the Rougons, and continue in order.

The Chronicles of Barsetshire by Anthony Trollope

I'm kicking myself for not getting in on Melissa and Amanda's readalong this year. 

The Passing Bells Series by Phillip Rock

"Before Downton Abbey, there was Abingdon Pryory, the elegant country home of the Grevilles—a titled English family who, along with their servants, see their world turned upside down when England goes to war." Who could ask for more?

The Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard

I actually picked up Book 1, The Light Years at the library today. Will I read it this time?

Series to continue:

The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett

I read Fall of Giants  over a year ago and have Winter of the World  ready to go. The Edge of Eternity (book 3) was recently released.

The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy

I loved this volume (containing novels 1-3) when I read it nearly a decade ago. Ali is embarking on a year-long project to read all nine novels beginning in January and I am tempted to join her. I would begin with a reread.

The Good Earth Trilogy by Pearl S. Buck

Did you know The Good Earth  continues with Sons  and A House Divided?

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

It's been a couple of years since I read book one. It's time to keep going with Birds of  Feather.

The Dublin Murder Squad by Tana French

I listened to In the Woods while walking on the beach a couple of winters ago. The Likeness  is next on my list.

Your turn...
Are you attracted to series or do you tend to avoid them? Which are your favorites?

The Sunday Salon: Memorial Day Weekend

It's Memorial Day weekend and summer is unofficially here. The sun is even shining and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a rain-free day... it's been a while! The docks are in but, the boat is not. Maybe by next weekend...

Finished this week//

The Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman

A somewhat predictable, yet thoroughly enjoyable story that kept me reading well into the night. Two brothers, their wives, and children live together in a two-family house in Brooklyn in the late 1940s - one family with all daughters, the other with all sons. The wives become pregnant, and both deliver at home during a blizzard, unable to reach the hospital, while their husbands are out of town on business. From there, things get complicated. The story is told through multiple viewpoints in short chapters. A very good debut novel.
My rating:

My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

This was a reread for me and I loved it just as much the second time around. I started to read Strout's new book Anything is Possible and, while the character in the first story was familiar, I couldn't remember any details. Since Lucy Barton is so short and still on my kindle, I decided to reread it. Five stars, again!

Current reading//

Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout

Elizabeth Strout is one of my favorite authors. I started her latest novel, which is really a series of stories about characters mentioned in My Name is Lucy Barton, yesterday afternoon and ended up reading almost half of it before bedtime. So good!

Bellevue: Three Centuries of Medicine and Mayhem at America's Most Storied Hospital

by David M. Oshinsky

This book is fairly dense, but it gets more interesting with each chapter. This week I read about Nellie Bly's adventures (my thoughts on Ten Day in a Mad-House are here), the beginnings of germ theory and antiseptic procedures, and the early days of professional nursing. I'm hoping to finish this week.

Up next//

Audrey and I are almost ready to resume our #PalliserParty. The plan is to begin Book 2, Phineas Finn, in early June. Want to read along with us?


In the kitchen//

This week's new recipe...  Sun-Dried Tomato, Spinach and Quinoa Salad from Cookie and Kate was a  delicious accompaniment to the turkey burgers we had for dinner. The leftovers made a perfect lunch, too.

Last night we enjoyed a favorite, Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil from Damn Delicious. I discovered this recipe last winter and have made it several times... always a treat.


Going to the dogs//

As Zelda approaches her tenth birthday, she celebrated her 7th Anniversary - or "Gotcha Day"- with us last week. Her muzzle is now mostly white, but that's the only visible evidence of time passing. We will be "grey-b-sitting" Angus again for the next week or two. He's four, and Zelda has no problem keeping up with him, or his antics. They seem to enjoy each other's company... should be an interesting couple of weeks.


How was your week? What are you reading this long holiday weekend?
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Wuthering Heights Wednesday: It's a Wrap!

And so all good things must come to an end....

This is the final installment of our Wuthering Heights Wednesday read-along hosted by Jill at Fizzy Thoughts. Surprisingly, I was not the only one who hadn't read the book prior to this little adventure. Several other WH virgins read along with the seasoned veterans who 'held our hands' as we made our way through.

So, what did I think? First and foremost, this was not at all what I was expecting.

EXPECTATION: Wuthering Heights is one of the world's great love stories.

REALITY: People consider this a love story??? It seems more like obsession, revenge, and misery to me... although this was a great quote from Cathy I:

My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I AM Heathcliff! He's always in my mind: not as a pleasure to myself, but as my own being. (page 83)

EXPECTATION: A tall, dark, and handsome hero captures the young girl's heart.

REALITY: An boy of questionable origin, taken in and raised by a family, grows to be a man of questionable mental health bent on seeking revenge against the family's son who mistreated him, while acting on an obsession with the daughter that lasts beyond her life.

EXPECTATION: An atmospheric tale, where the setting is an integral part of the story.

REALITY: I was one for three!

What have I learned?

Although I have long suspected this was true, I learned that I do not need to like or identify with any character in order to enjoy a novel. Until now, I have never been able to point to a specific title where I disliked everyone. Wuthering Heights has changed that.

Although there may have been passing sympathy for Hareton, this was a pretty despicable lot. It's hard to say whether I disliked Heathcliff or Linton more. And, oh that Nelly! So many times she could have stepped in and changed the course of events, but the one time she feels even a slight twinge of guilt, it is quickly discounted. Who knows about Joseph... I didn't understand much of what he had to say, but what I did catch wasn't very favorable. At least Cathy I was interesting, poor Cathy II didn't even have that going for her!

I love classics and Wuthering Heights did not disappoint. It will not go down as one of my favorite books of 2010, but I am very glad to have finally read it. The read-along, however, will definitely be among my favorite blogging 'activities' of the year. The group made what was ultimately a pretty creepy book loaded with loathsome characters into an enjoyable, memorable read. And best of all, I have a some new friends whose blogs I will continue to visit regularly.

Thanks so much for hosting, Jill!

The WHW Group:

• Jill at Fizzy Thoughts
• Vivienne( Serendipity)
• Messy Karen
• Victoria
• Ti (Book Chatter)
• Lisa – Lit And Life
• Dar@ Peeking Between the Pages
• J.C. Montgomery (The Biblio Blogazine)
• Whitney
• JoAnn (Lakeside Musing)
• Amy at New Century Reading
• Geri at One More Foggy Notion
• Rob at Books are Like Candy Corn
• Trish at Love, Laughter and a Touch of Insanity
• Carina at Reading through Life

The Sunday Salon: Back to Connecticut

Hello again from Connecticut! After last weekend's evacuation from hurricane/tropical storm Henri, we returned midweek to find things pretty much as we left them. The area received quite a bit of wind and rain but, fortunately, never lost power. We enjoyed our visit with my parents, spent some time with my siblings, and got caught up on the latest central NY happenings. I also finished the book I was reading and read an extended short story.

 Recent reading//

We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange

This family story made for a satisfying summer read. I enjoyed the characters, their relationships to one another, the family dynamics, and, of course, the secrets. There was nothing too graphic, heavy, or traumatic. (I can't handle another Paper Palace  just yet.) Enjoyable and entertaining, I was comfortable passing this one along to my mother. She's loving it. 

The Sixth Wedding by Elin Hilderbrand

This extended short story (approximately 80 pages) is a sequel to Hilderbrand's novel, 28 Summers. It takes place a couple of years after that 28th summer. Basically it's a check-in  with the main characters, or a "where are they now?" follow up. It was fine, but nothing special. I'm being generous with a three-star rating. 

Current reading//

Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau

I'm about 20% into this coming-of-age story set in 1970s Baltimore. It's wonderful so far!

Later today I'll pick out my next audiobook. I'm leaning toward  nonfiction... possibly The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton. Have you read this one? 

On the blog//

Book Brief: The Street by Ann Petry

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.