The weekend started off in a delightful way! We went out with dear friends for some good food, great conversation, and a trip to Barnes and Noble. It doesn't get much better than that, in my book (so to speak).
While browsing the shelves and tables of my most favorite retreat, I found a few books that I want to investigate (e.g. - borrow from the library to check them out). Many of you have already recommended the Postmistress by Sarah Blake, and while the premise sounds interesting, I must confess that I absolutely love the cover! My friend took this one home and I am anxious to hear her review of the book as well. Other books that caught my attention were:
- Letter to my Daughter by George Bishop. I read the first page and was instantly drawn in (I'm not sure I can wait until it is my turn to obtain the book at the library - there are 20 people ahead of me). Right now the aspect that I find most intriguing is that the book is written from the mother's point of view, but the author is a man!
- The 3 Weissmann's of Westport by Cathleen Schine. At first I was interested in the book because it is called a modern day Sense and Sensibility. However, when I discovered that it takes place in Westport, CT --- my home of 20 years, I just knew I had to check it out. Unfortunately, I think I am currently number 36 in line for the library copy! In my "research" however, I discovered that this book is actually a sequel The New Yorker - which they currently have available. I should be picking it up later this week.
- Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz. A non-fiction book that delves into the inner psyche of my beloved pets. The front cover stated that not only can dogs smell day-old food, but they can also smell sadness. I just KNEW my dogs understood my emotions! I absolutely have to read this book, but alas it will not be for a while; the wait is over a month at the library!
The weather in the Midwest continues to be dismal. I heard the other day that we have had the sum total of 2 sunny days in the past 45! I am beginning to think the nation's midsection will all start to suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) if the weather pattern doesn't change soon. Today the temperature is hovering right at 32 degrees, which means we are to have a wonderful mix of cold rain, freezing sleet, and accumulating snow. I am very grateful that I do not have to travel in this mess, but rather I can sit back in my cozy nook and read. I am currently reading Fablehaven by Brandon Mull (I seem to be in a YA fantasy mood lately) and I just started Still Alice by Lisa Genova. I won this book last fall during the 24 hour read-athon, and after reading Jenners' amazing review this week, I decided that I should not put off reading this book any longer. I also consider this book sort of "research" for my writing project. I had thought that one of my characters would have Alzheimer's and the use of photographs would help to reconnect with her. Reading more about this devastating disease from the inside out will help me to write a more believable story.Other than making a dish of PTA casserole to help my family stay warm on this winter day, I plan to spend many hours reading in my nook. How about the rest of you? Have you been able to enjoy some literary activities this weekend?
Sorry your weather is still lousy - we had an absolutely gorgeous weekend here. I read Letter to My Daughter and really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI liked "Still Alice." Very real and touching. I also agree, nothing could be better than a weekend full of good friends, good food and conversation, and a trip to a bookstore. haha. Have a great week ahead!
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Dining with good friends heals the soul I think. It is the cure for what ails you most times. I think the weather is the general cause for a national malaise. We had our first good weather this weekend after a couple of months. And we are Florida. People move here in the winter for good weather, for Pete's sake!
ReplyDeleteYour evening out with friends and a bookstore sounds perfect! Sorry about the lousy weather though :(
ReplyDeleteI am also looking forward to Postmistress, and Letter to My Daughter. Have a great week Molly!
I loved Still Alice...this one was a powerful read and it struck me hard emotionally. Fablehaven series does not stay on my library shelves at all..the kids are loving it!!
ReplyDeleteI have Letter to My Daughter. It's a short book so I'm going to read it soon. Would you like my copy when I'm done? I would love to send it to you!!! I'll send you Postmistress to if you want!
That sounds like a perfect evening out to me. We lived in Fairfield County in the mid-late 1980's when I worked in New Haven and my husband in Bridgeport. Westport is a beautiful town!
ReplyDeleteI won a copy of Letter to My Daughter from LibraryThing Early Reviewers, but it hasn't turned up yet. I'm starting to think it may have lost its way.
ReplyDeleteStill Alice was an amazing novel. I read it last year; my mom had early-onset Alzheimer's, so the novel was very meaningful (and challenging) for me.
I have The New Yorkers in TBR, and The 3 Weismanns of Westport is on my wishlist. I lived next door to Westport (in Norwalk, CT) when I was a kid - small world!
Yucky weather is the worst! I'm ready for summer! We kinda skip spring here in Chicago. Still Alice was a great book. Very sad though. I read it last summer in Guatemala and my friend who I left it with there is reading it now. I hope you like it.
ReplyDeleteI'm tired of winter weather, too. The sun is rarely out in the UK and it does get astonishingly depressing.
ReplyDeleteI hear good things about Still Alice! I don't own a copy but I've been thinking about getting it from the library.
Meghan @ Medieval Bookworm
We have torrential rain here, so you are not on your own. I think I have seen a blue sky twice since the beginning of the year.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are getting in some research for your writing.
OK: I am definitely putting "The New Yorker" on my wishlist preparatory to reading "The 3 Weissmanns of Westport", because 1) (As is evident from my Sunday Salon this week, if it would ever load to the feed) I am on a huge Austen kick right now, and 2) although I have just moved to Nova Scotia, I spent the previous seven years of my life living just down 95 from you in New Haven. (It *is* a small world! Look at how many of us are former nutmeggers!) Thanks for bringing this book to my attention!
ReplyDeleteI love times like that with good food, good friends and a visit to a bookstore. I have Letter to my Daughter and Still Alice on my TBR shelf. I can't wait to read them and will look forward to your review of Still Alice. I am very ready for Spring, we had some sunny days this weekend and now it is gray and rainy.
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to see what you think of "Still Alice." It is a perfect book to read if you are thinking of having a character with Alzheimers ... plus it is just such an emotional read. Have your tissues handy!
ReplyDeleteI read 3 Weissmanns and enjoyed it! I don't actually think it's a sequel to The New Yorkers, though they are by the same author.
ReplyDeleteI hope the sun comes out for you soon! :) Inside of a Dog sounds so interesting!
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