Sanibel Sunday: January 28, 2018

Hello, friends. Zelda and I were on the beach early this morning to watch the sun rise. We may have some rain later, but I'd say the day is off to a  beautiful start!


Finished last week//

Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope

Two thirds - we're making progress! Audrey and I have been slowly reading Trollope's Palliser series, and this is book 4 of 6. It was much more exciting than Phineas Finn (book 2), thanks in part to a murder trial, but not quite as enjoyable as Can You Forgive Her? or  The Eustace Diamonds. At this point, my preference is for the ecclesiastical Barsetshire novels. Perhaps, given the current state of affairs in the US, I'm not appreciating politics in fiction as much as I might during normal times. We'll see where the next two novels take us.

I approached Phineas Redus as a read/listen combination, as usual - listening for an hour or so on my morning walk, then reading the ebook in the evening. Simon Vance has become the voice of classic British Literature for me.  The Prime Minister  is next... maybe sometime this spring/summer?

My rating:

Set aside//

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne

It was not an easy decision to bail on my First Book of the Year. I chose to begin 2018 with the book I most regret not  reading in 2017. The writing was wonderful and the story was instantly engaging... until it wasn't. I hadn't fully invested in Cyril, so as the narrative shifted away from Catherine, his mother, I found my interest waning. After 200 + pages, I looked to twitter for advice and my blogging friends came through. Ultimately, I would have finished a book of 'normal' length, but wasn't able to justify reading another 400 pages of this chunkster. Most readers loved The Heart's Invisible Furies  and many named it their favorite book of 2017, so I wouldn't cross it off your list based on my experience.



Current reading//

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan

I tend to enjoy a good "man against the elements" story and this one is fascinating, in terms of both survivors' experiences and the history. The book was brought to my attention during Nonfiction November a couple of years ago. I picked up the ebook as a daily deal shortly afterward, then grabbed the audiobook (narrated by Patrick Lawlor) a couple months ago during an audible 2-for-1 sale. Hope to finish this week.


Up next//

The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James

I loved this book when I read it many years ago and was excited to hear about John Banville's new sequel - of course I would read it! As I began to think about James' novel, my recollection of plot details were fuzzy at best... should I reread it in order to really appreciate Mrs. Osmond?  My decision was made, then Bellezza posted this photo on Instagram. As other readers began commenting on her photo, a readalong was born.

As is my habit for long classics, this will be a read/listen combination. I've selected Juliet Stevenson's narration - there are so many! The audiobook is nearly 27 hours and I think the book must be over 600 pages. We plan to read at our own pace and discuss at the end of February. Would you like to join us?


Beyond the books//
It was nice all week, so I got in a beach walk or bike ride every day. Yesterday we hiked at the local wildlife refuge.

My FIL and SIL are joining us for dinner today. I'll be serving Roast Chicken Provençal, a family favorite from the NY Times.

The Post is still selling out daily at the small island cinema, so we haven't seen it yet. We could buy tickets a day in advance, but never seem to think about it that far ahead.

We're looking forward to Thursday when our daughters arrive for a long weekend.

How was your week? What are you reading?

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Sanibel Sunday: January 14, 2018

Hello, friends. It's another sunny Sunday on Sanibel, although with a chilly breeze we'll struggle to get much above 60 today. That's well below normal for this time of year, but it's still perfect weather for a long bike ride or beach walk... or spending a couple of hours on the couch watching football and reading ;-)

Current reading//
The same books as last week - January tends to be a slow reading month for me, but two chunksters make it seem more pronounced this year.

Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope

Our #PalliserParty continues. Book #4 of the series opens with the return of our hero from Book #2, Phineas Finn. Unlike the second novel, this one is completely engaging from the start and I'm enjoying the visit with old friends very much.

The audiobook (read by Simon Vance) is over 23 hours long, but I'm racing through it thanks, in part, to my new wireless earbuds! Have you tried them? They are truly a game changer! I don't know why I waited this long...

"Men will love to the last, but they love what is fresh and new. A woman's love can live on the recollection of the past, and cling to what is old and ugly." 

"Mr. Maule hated to be unhappy or uncomfortable, and therefore never allowed any aspiration to proceed to such length as to be inconvenient to his feelings should it not be gratified." 

"The double pleasure of pulling down an opponent, and of raising oneself, is the charm of a politician's life."

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne

Very little reading time translates to a woeful lack of progress on my print book this week. It's very good but, at nearly 600 pages, I'm still less than a third done. I'm hoping for a day to read on the beach this week.


Beyond the books//

My father-in-law is coming over for dinner tonight. This Venetian Chicken Ragu is simmering in the crockpot (thanks to Patty) and the house smells so good! I'll let you know how it turns out. Maybe there will even be a Weekend Cooking post next week...

The Post  is playing at our small island cinema and was sold out all weekend. I'm hoping to see it sometime this week.

How was your week? What are you reading?

Sanibel Sunday: Back at Last!

Good morning from sunny, but cool, Sanibel. Thanks to winter storm Grayson, our trip back took longer than expected. We spent an extra night in Fredericksburg, VA  before setting out again Thursday morning. Our winter driving skills were really put to the test... the area around Richmond was especially treacherous! We canceled a visit to Savannah, opting instead for a quick overnight in snow-free but freezing Jacksonville, FL and finally got home late Friday afternoon.

As you might expect, I haven't picked up a book or audiobook for most of the week. I did, however, finish a couple of short books just before the beginning of the year.

Finished last week//

Hot Milk by Deborah Levy

Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2016, this book has been on my kindle for a while... probably purchased as a daily deal somewhere long the way. I have a weakness for big prize contenders and the plot sounded intriguing. Hot Milk  turned out to be the kind of quiet, interior novel I tend to enjoy. The setting and narrative imparted a vague sense of unease palpable throughout, though the pace was somewhat slow. Overall I liked the book, but didn't love it.

The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui

I'm not a huge fan of graphic novels or memoirs, but try to read one or two a year. Roz Chast is a favorite and I'd been hoping to get Going Into Town: A Love Letter to New York from the library before the end of the year. When it became obvious that wouldn't happen, I looked for other possibilities. Described as "an intimate and poignant graphic novel portraying one family’s journey from war-torn Vietnam" this book has received praise from the book blogging community and was also available for immediate download from my library via hoopla. It was a quick, interesting reading, though I was only lukewarm on the artwork. (image source)

Current reading//

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne

My First Book of the Year, and unfortunately I have not picked it up since New Years Day. Now that we're back and settled, there will be progress this week.


About to begin//

Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope

The  #PalliserParty continues! I plan to start the audio version of Book 4 (narrated by Simon Vance, of course) on my walk later today. Audrey and I have been slowly making our way through the six book series. You're welcome to join us!


How was your week? What are you reading today?



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First Book of the Year: 2018

Happy New Year! For the fifth year, Sheila at Book Journey is hosting the First Book of the Year event. The idea is simple - just share a photo of you and your first book. Sheila says:

Fifth year.  I LOVE First book so much.  This tradition for me goes further back than the 5 years I have opened up to the reading world here on Book Journey.  I am THRILLED to be doing it again and thank you to those who have messaged me to ask.
The answer is… 

Of course we are doing it. 

Here is what First Book is.  The first book of the New Year should be:
A.  A coveted book that you have wanted to read but have just not found the time.
B.  A delicious favorite… one you have read before, but crave to read again.
C.  Really whatever you want it to – it is after all YOUR First Book Of the year. 

Make it AWESOME.

This year I selected The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne. Like last year, I decided to begin 2018 with the 2017 release I most regret not reading before the year ended... and even treated myself to a new hardcover edition. The book begins:

Long before we discovered that he had fathered two children by two different women, one in Drimoleague and one in Clonakilty, Father James Monroe stood on the altar of the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, in the parish of Goleen, West Cork, and denounced my mother as a whore.

How's that for an opening line?!  I'm hooked already and plan to spend the rest of the day reading.

Have you chosen your First Book of the Year?