The end of May already....wow. Nothing new here except catching up on some emails and errands. We finished watching the series Firefly and I sure wish they had continued it. Next week is my birthday so we will get a pizza and watch The Martian that evening. Loki has been looking a bit unhappy about the lack of furniture in the house these days but that will all change soon.
On to book chat. I have been very behind in writing anything or linking up.
I read Rick Steves On the Hippie Trail but never linked up. Review in the link.
I also finished Where the Forest Meets the River. This picks up five years after the first book with all the same characters and I loved it. Can't wait for her to publish the last one in this series because I need to know what happens with Greg, Rose, Nate, Richard and ...well, all of the characters in this small town. There have been some revelations, some closure and lots of hope but she sure left us with a few cliff hangers!
Most recently there was The Distance Between Us by Maggie O'Farrell, a recommendation by Les at Coastal Horizons. As with any O'Farrell book I've read this one grabbed me straight away. There isn't a lot of dialogue, especially in the beginning chapters, but the descriptive writing drops you right into the middle of Jake's Hong Kong new year celebration and resulting tragedy. The other storyline, which will eventually merge, takes us into Stella and Nina's world in London, Wales and Scotland. All three of our main characters have big secrets.
Next up will be a roundup for Elena Ferrante and Rosamunde Pilcher books.
I hope you have gotten some good reading in this May. Thinking of Shelleyrae at Book'd Out where she is dealing with severe flooding. Thoughts are with you!
Armchair travel for May has taken me to Maine, Scotland, England, Hong Kong, Italy and Ireland.
Sharing with Joy's Book Blog for British Isles Friday and Deb at Readerbuzz for Sunday Salon.
I think Rod & I tried Firefly several years ago, but I don't think we got very far. It was around the time I started watching Fringe. Have you seen that one? I plan to read Where the Forest Meets the River in the next couple of months. (It's on my Summer Reading list.) I may re-read the first book before I do, though. I've forgotten a lot about it, and it's a pretty quick read. I'm glad you enjoyed The Distance Between Us. Can you imagine being in that crowd during the New Year celebration?! My next O'Farrell book is My Lover's Lover. I think you read that one, too, right? I hope you have a wonderful birthday, Tina! Here's to many more!
ReplyDeleteLes, we own Firefly and the followup movie Serenity. It's one I decided to keep for our entertainment before we move. It will be amazing to have streaming availble but until then, I have all oour DVDs boxed up to go. Yes, we saw a few seasons of Fringe and I remember we liked it.
DeleteLoved the O'Farrell book but I have not read My Lover's Lover yet. Thanks for the birthday wishes!
Just popping over here to wish you a Happy Birthday!! Hope it's wonderful, Tina!
DeleteThanks so much, Les! You are very thoughtful :-)
DeleteI love Firefly! And I do agree but after some of the things that happened in Serenity and hearing what was supposed to be Inara's big story I'm kind of okay with the fact it didn't continue. I don't think I would have liked it after another season or two. Where the Forest Meets the River looks good and I love the cover. I'm a bit behind on reading and had planned on spending most of today reading but then plans changed so hopefully tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteKatherine, we also love Firefly but when I read about Inara and what was planned, I thought it would be too dark. But I like how it all ended and the characters are great.
DeleteI hope you have a wonderful birthday! My brother and sister both have birthdays next week as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jodie. Mine is the 2nd, maybe I share the date with your siblings :-)
DeleteHappy Birthday, I hope you have a great day! My daughter's birthday is tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vicki. Your daughter and I share a birthday - June 2! But I am waaaaay older, haha
DeleteSo am I :)
DeleteOn the Hippie Trail sounds interesting!!
ReplyDeleteErin, it was interesting to read his thoughts on travel as a young man,
DeleteLooks like your armchair travels took you to some great locations. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindy. It;s the only way I travel these days.
DeleteGood recap on May reading. It so happens that I just finished the audio of Where the Forest Meets the River and loved it too, as much as Book 1. I get hooked into her storytelling. I feel I know her characters like the back of my hand, ha. I look forward to Bowring's Book 3 in October. I think it is a trilogy so we might have to say goodbye to these characters afterwards, argh. I just put a post up that talked about our Ferrante read. I hope the ending holds up. Enjoy your birthday (the Martian is a fun movie) and your move date is soon!
ReplyDeleteSusan, I loved those two books of Bowring and I have hopes for certain characters about how I would like to see them end up. She takes you straight into the story.
DeleteJust read your post and I am about to wrap up the Ferrante book. Have made some notes. Only 10 more nights here in the house, Excited!
It must be time for me to read another Maggie O'Farrell book!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.