First off, my sympathies to Susan for the loss of your father. I am so sorry for your loss, you remain in my thoughts.
Here at home I have been inside a bit due to a 200 acre controlled burn which was choking. That meant reading and puzzling. No complaints there but not getting a proper walk in was disappointing. Prior to the fires we did manage a short trip to St Mark's Lighthouse with Loki. Photos later...
This week I finished two books.
Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave
As advertised, it's a family drama in a Sonoma California setting featuring a family vineyard. I enjoyed this book very much. A close family with believeable disagreements and interactions. The reviews for this book are all over the place but I read it every chance I got. The workings of the vineyard, what it meant to the children growing up there and how they feel about it as adults when it looks like the father is about to give it all up.
There is also the drama of Georgia getting thrown for a loop when she sees her fiance walking down the street with his former girlfriend (a superstar actress) and a 5 year old little girl. Obviously there is an explanation. Some good quotes within and I liked this one:
"You really shouldn't live your life doing what you think you should do."
Perfect time for every family member to evaluate where they are with current life choices and make changes. 4.5 stars
Currently Reading
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
and Stanley Tucci's What I Ate in One Year.
Abandoned: The Postman by David Brin. It was on my classics list and it's also apocalyptic so I was going to add that to my Apocalyptic tab page above. 👆 I read up to the 29% point when an organized dog fighting scene was introduced. Possibly it's just the one scene but considering the descriptions of the people gathered and betting, considering the fall of society, I thought I'd just stop. I am a tender hearted person regarding animals, fiction or not, I don't want to read about abuse.
I'll need to replace that title on my Classics Club list.
That's it for me right now. I hope you had a good reading week.
Sharing with Deb at Readerbuzz for Sunday Salon.
I hope the controlled burn is over soon. Our naturalist group has been drilled on the benefits of controlled burns, but it still has all the smoke of a fire.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your books. I can see why you set The Postman aside.
Deb, it rained this morning and that helped with the smoke. My eyes in particular hated it, so swollen.
DeleteYes, the Postman book will get crossed off and maybe I will add a John Banville in it's place.
I hope your air clears up soon. That's great that Eight Hundred Grapes worked so well for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joy. I can't walk when it;s that thick with smoke bit I did read quite a bit.
DeleteLaura Dave is one of my favorite authors. Thank you for reminding me about Eight Hundred Grapes! Even though I’m culling my library, some of her books are definitely keepers!
ReplyDeleteMia, I have certain books that are keepers as well. Doesn't matter that I have read them. Otherwise, I am movng many others out.
DeleteI know controlled burns are necessary but they are awful when your nose is in range of one. Sorry that one book had a horrible dog fight scene. No, no, and no.
ReplyDeleteJinjer, it's raining right now so that's helping!
DeleteThere is no way I could have read that book either. I am super sensitive to things like that in books as well. (and in life) I hope you are able to get out and walk soon!
ReplyDeleteErin, it's raining and I have high hopes for the air to clear today!
DeleteI've added Eight Hundred to my list, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it, Jackie. I am a fan of family dramas.
DeleteI'm interested to hear what you think once you're done with the Stanley Tucci book. Eight Hundred Grapes sounds like the sort of book I'd enjoy :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBecki, I am enjoying the Tucci book so far. That said, a friend of mine (book blogger) wasn't impressed so, different tastes there. I have bookmarked many pages with recipes or mentions of a meal I want to try.
DeleteI haven’t been able to get a walk in either this week. Disappointing because it’s the only activity I can do until Tuesday (yeah!) when I’m medically released from my restrictions. Have a great week! I hope you’re able to get out of the house.
ReplyDeleteCarla, I hope you can get out and walk soon. It's good for the body and the mind.
DeleteEight Hundred Grapes sounds really good. I'm going to add it to my wish list. I listed to one of Stanley Tucci's other books and it was really good. I'll have to look for this one. Hope you have a nice week!
ReplyDeleteYvonne, I am enjoying this one as much as I did Tucci's book Taste. Loved Eight Hundred Grapes so I hope you do as well. Have a good week!
DeleteI can't remember now if I ever read The Postman or just planned to (it doesn't ring a bell, but sometimes that doesn't mean anything ahaha), but that's good to know about it... yikes.
ReplyDeleteNicky, I like when one is given warning about animal abuse but tghis is a older book and I don't think they gave those warnings.
DeleteThe Postman isn't on any of my To Read lists but I'd definitely be taking it off if it was. I don't think I could handle the dog fighting scene either. I need to get more walks in. I'm pretty active but there's something special about getting outside and taking a walk. Hopefully you can get out soon. I'll have to try Eight Hundred Grapes. I wasn't a big fan of this author's Hello Sunshine so I haven't picked it up even though I own the audio version. Sounds like I need to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, could be it was just that one short scene but it left a bad taste for me to continue. Absolutely getting out walking is a good exercise and improves the mood!
DeleteI thinnk I had tried another of Laura Dave's books but it wasn't Hello Sunshine. I liked this one though :-)
I'm sorry you're stuck indoors due to the controlled burns, though I do understand how necessary they are. We will have them here when conditions are favorable - too darn windy lately! There's still a lot of dead vegetation leftover from Ian (and Helene and Milton) that could cause problems. Glad you were able to go to St. Mark's lighthouse!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, I do agree the controlled burns are necessary but does it ever mess up my throat and eyes. Yuck. St Marks was nice and we want to return later in the year.
Delete