I've come to realize this online diary connects me to people all over the globe, when I link up to socialize. Otherwise it's just nice to sit at my keyboard and get some thoughts out.
Even though I use a lovely planner and write just about everything in it, it's nice to post what I am reading and watching. Observations. Disgust and embarrassment about my country. Plans for books, shows and flowers in the garden.
Almost done reading Buckeye by Patrick Ryan. A buddy read with Susan which has generated much discussion about events unfolding in this long drama. I'll add a review next week but I am sure I will add some spoilers to be hidden via Goodreads as well.
Reading plans are always fluid....even when I write out a few titles in my notebook to keep me on track. As I was fortunate enough to win a couple of books from LibraryThing I will add those to the list. I finished Should Have Told You Sooner by Jane Ward. Thank you, LibraryThing for the book. Complimentary books are always appreciated.
The main character here is Noel Enfield, a woman with secrets. She was named for her grandfather, by the way. She is working at a museum in Massachusetts and has the career opportunity of a lifetime at a gallery in London. Here is the complication (one of many) - she is going through divorce from Andy and she has a young stepdaughter Alice. Noel wants to retain the relationship with Alice but the acrimonious nature of this divorce has Alice picking sides and it's not Noel's.
This one statement from her husband Andy made her decide to end her marriage. "For someone who's never been pregnant you sure know a lot." That was in reference to a woman feeling ill at their party. It was a big secret she kept from Andy; she had a baby and gave it up for adoption.
Noel couldn't continue to live a lie. After 7 years of marriage it's a bit late to explain you had a baby and gave it away. She never did tell Andy so I imagine he was blindsided by the divorce with zero explanation. Starting a marriage with such a big secret was definitely a bad idea.
Back story: Bryn was Noel's partner when she lived in London, also the father of the adopted out baby, and she never stopped caring for him. Before you cast hate at Bryn know that he was never aware of the pregnancy. That is another story woven in explaining the situation. Their relationship started and ended in London and here she is, about to immerse herself on a path that crosses her past and future.
Near the end of the book I liked the what if thoughts Noel had. A mental checklist of things that may have turned out differently. Who among us hasn't had those thoughts? "What if I had stayed in my old life, what if I left Andy but stayed closer, what if I stayed in London, or come back to London sooner...so many different life scenarios.
Main setting is London and Wales. The book touches on Covid, loss, grief, love and forgiveness. It's a book about second chances.
Watching
Shrinking has been one of our favorites and we just finished season 3. The cast work well, the banter is natural and you have some tearful moments in this season. Heck, I had tearful moments in the previous two seasons! I can see how they could end the series here but I hope they will have another season. We will tune in for sure.
Sharing with Joy for British Isles Friday
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