Another library walk yesterday. After we had finished, I ran in to return The Year of the Locust and checked out the New Books on the shelves. I knew of Olga Tokarczuk’s book, The Books of Jacob. It has been written about a great deal on my IG book feed, so I grabbed it. She wrote it in 2014, but it didn’t get translated into English until 2021. From Penguin Random House’s site: The Nobel Prize–winner’s richest, most sweeping and ambitious novel yet follows the comet-like rise and fall of a mysterious, messianic religious leader as he blazes his way across eighteenth-century Europe.
Sounds fascinating!
Also on the shelf: Everyone on this Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson, an Australian author. The blurb said that fans of Anthony Horowitz and Richard Osman would love it. Sounds like a nice palate cleanser.
Our library is so small that I rarely check out a book there, anything I see there that I find interesting I’ve usually already read. I get books through the inter-library system instead. So it was refreshing to come up these books.
I’m reading Wolf Hall, of course, and caught up on my assigned reading yesterday. It’s fascinating, but at heart, I’m not a fan of historical fiction, so I’m never fully on board, if you know what I mean. I know a lot about the Tudors already, through my education and a lifetime of immersion in Shakespeare – they sort of go hand in hand. I’m on the fence as to whether I’ll read the other books in the trilogy. As I’m going to read more at a time (ignoring the schedule for the readalong) I might end up feeling differently.
Today is rainy so a walk might not be on the docket.
It’s very warm out there, unseasonably so. And it looks like it will continue, save for a couple days here and there. It’s rather eerie. Both Don and I have wondered if “Winter” has changed forever. Yes, we still get snow, but not that much. It’s the end of February and my day lilies are emerging, as well as the daffodils. At the library, we saw new growth everywhere. Is this the new winter? On one hand, it’s nice not to have deal with so much snow and ice. On the other hand, we need winter and we miss it. We may still get some snow in March, but it will be short-lived.
What has this winter been like where you live?
Okay. Have to make our second cup of coffee.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
Our winter has been much like yours, Claudia. It’s feels very strange as if something is not quite right. I’m going out in bare feet and sandals, for heaven’s sake, and tomorrow is the last day of February. I think we should all do something special tomorrow as it is a “bonus” day. Happy Birthday to all those Leap Year babies who can celebrate their on the 29th. Hugs, Elaine
Thank you, Elaine!
Stay safe.
My weather in Southern California has been rain, rain and more rain. Of course we’re also sliding down the mountain and falling into the ocean (she says only slightly in jest because it really is happening and is definitely NOT amusing). Friday is bringing even more (multiple) days of rain and it also rained all afternoon day before yesterday. However, I too have daffodils, the yellows but also the white ones with yellow centers, and I picked a dozen roses yesterday, which I don’t usually do because I’m happy with one in a vase, content to leave others on the bush, because there’s such a profusion of them already and at the end of February to boot. I also saw the first of my wild lupine on a hillside yesterday. And of course our school yard, golf courses and so many public spaces are SO greened up. This time ten years ago, we were in such severe drought! The meadow patch in my front yard which rims my old curving driveway is also alive with colorful wildflowers. So, it’s a happy thing for sure. My golden medallion tree which nearly split down the middle/center trunk with the earthquake in August has somehow, with my husband’s intervention (boy, did he have to research it), healed itself and although we had to severely cut it back due to its break, I just can’t believe how leafed out it’s getting!
Daffodils aren’t so strange at this time of year in CA, but here? I’m so happy to hear it’s so green, Vicki! How wonderful.
Stay safe.
I struggled to work in the yard yesterday as the outside temperature was 88. I hope it does not mean another summer with days of over 100. I have to acclimate, but it is more difficult as I age.
I understand completely, Brenda.
Stay safe.
Don’t usually post as I’m usually at work when I read your blog. Just checked out the two Benjamin Stevenson two books in his series to use up my Hoopla checkouts for February.
“Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone” is the first in the series. “Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect” is the second–in case you haven’t read the first.
Also heard that Richard Osman has a brand new series coming out in Sept 17–“We Solve Murders.”
Grey & windy in Motown this morning. Had a loud thunderstorm overnight. Missing the few warm days we had as it feels we’re back to Winter.
Yes, I’m aware of the first and I’ll put it on reserve at our library.
Yay for another Richard Osman series!
Stay safe, Lucinda.
lovely stack of books. glad for inter-library loan programs (we have them here, too).
rain sounds lovely. we could use it. despite getting more than two feet of snow within ten days last month, we remain in the “severe” drought category. with the exception of that big snowfall and a couple little two-inch snows, we have had a mild winter. very mild … monday, for example, the temperature went over 70. yesterday it dropped from 63 to 23 in just a few hours for being super-windy (rattles my nerves). and this morning it’s 14. the winters of my childhood were much different, with more precipitation … snow covered the ground from early december (if not before, sometimes it snowed before halloween) until mid-march. now we are lucky to get just a little occasional snowfall (last month’s felt like a beautiful fluke). weird, sad, kind of scary how it’s changed so much in really not that long of time.
going to double-check my stack of papers to be sure i’m prepared for doing taxes. mentally, financially, i am ready for that to be done (since covid began, i seem to barely tolerate having anything on a “to do” list and that feels magnified since retirement). i have a couple more chores to do and am glad the shopping trip is over for another week (done yesterday). then i will get to spend time with family members, read “war and peace”, hopefully finish knitting a hat and then start another one. still waiting on some fabric and family photos (copies, ordered online) to finish a couple other little-but-important projects.
best i get to those things.
hope you all stay safe and well and have a very good day.
xo,
kathy
Yes, we had those winds a day later. They make me feel edgy!
Stay safe, Kathy.
We’re in Northern Alberta, Canada and it’s been so warm. So far, instead of a Winter filled with snow and ice, we’ve had just a bit of snow (which melted), and 1 big cold snap in January. However, that changed on Sunday when we finally got a big storm. Tons of snow, freezing cold and we’re all staying home until it’s a bit better. Though we don’t like storms, this one brought much needed snow to our area. We’re quite worried about fires this Summer and the dry Winter has been a big concern. So this snow is very welcome. Hopefully it helps. For now, we’re cozy in our little cottage, with tea, books and Lego!
X Chy
I understand! We need our snow pack as well – we have a well – and the only thing saving me from too much worry is the endless amount of rain we had last year.
Stay safe, Chy!
Thank you! We have a well too but I’ve never thought of it drying up. I’ll check with our neighbors who have all lived here for years to see if they’ve ever had any concerns.
Warming up! And the sun is out for a bit. We just don’t want it to melt too quickly.
Have a great weekend!
X Chy
Wells can dry up, for sure, but I’m not actively worried about it. This well has been here for over a hundred years.
Stay safe, Chy.
I believe this is an El Nino winter. Michigan has been much warmer and not much snow. It’s very strange to be so warm in Feb. We had a thunderstorm yesterday and today it is cold and we got a dusting of snow. It will be gone by tomorrow and will be warmer, 40s and 50s again. This must be messing with mother nature, although I do enjoy not having snow.
Take care
I secretly enjoy it, too. But yes, it’s ultimately not a good thing.
Stay safe, Marilyn.
We’re having a weird February in WI. Yesterday it was 72 degrees and I had the sun roof open as I drove. Today the wind is roaring the the wind chill is 3 degrees. Plus, yesterday morning woke up to wet streets from overnight rain. This morning we had a new covering of about an inch of snow.
I realize today’s cold and snow is what February should be. Still, I worry because working out back on the weekend we noticed green sprouts coming through the soil which doesn’t bode well for our garden.
Take care,
Kay
I’m worried about the same thing, Kay.
Stay safe.
We’ve had rain, and now we have beautiful green hills and yards! The heavy rain definitely caused some damage around here…downed trees, flooding…but we need the water! Droughts are not good! We’re supposed to be in the low 70s… very pleasant. I really appreciate the inter-library check out for books. Our library is really nice, the old grammar school which was redesigned. The architects did a great job melding the new with the old. Anyway, it’s nice to be able to read about books online, then check them out at the library, if available.
Yes, our library is beautiful, too. Inspired by the old train station that used to be in our small town, its design is reminiscent of that.
Stay safe, Barrie.
I live in a small town Schuylkill Haven, Pa and we had 8 inches of very wet snow. I had several trees that I have been waiting since the end of summer last year to be cut down. Well the snow brought down several big branches. A friend helped me get rid of all of them and I finally had the man come and cut them down. I have been here for 48 years and my yard now is full of sunshine where it was once shady but I am happy to have them gone. I am still remember how we walked to school which was a half hour or more walk from where I lived. No bus unless you paid for it and who back then in the 50’s and 60’s could afford that. Now they cancel for just a little bit of snow but glad the kids are safe. Winters are now not as harsh as it was back then. I for one would not care if winter never came with any snow! Love reading your blog and look forward to it. Stay safe.
I always walked to school. The elementary school and junior high were fairly close, but the walk to high school took at least a half-hour.
Stay safe, Barbara.
We have had a weird winter here. A blizzard in January…and then a subsequent deep freeze. Our snow then melted slowly and we had spring-like weather for a few weeks. Yesterday, it was 71 here. I had a couple windows open and it smelled like springtime. But, a cold front came in last night and dropped our temp here to 10. Today it’s sunny and extremely windy. Tomorrow back up to 52. My irises are coming up already. Mother Nature appears confused, as our cranes are back after only a 7 week absence. I feared for them last night.
Guess it’s time to make up my landscaping list so I’m prepared. Happy Reading! ;)
We had that same deep freeze and a big old snowfall, but negligible amounts since then.
Hope the cranes are protected from the cold, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
Claudia, I’m a daily reader but infrequent commenter for which I apologize. I get so much inspiration and solace from your sharings, I can’t even say. I look forward to your “book reports” and have added many of your suggestions to my library.
To answer your “question of the day” we have been surprised at the mildness of our winter here in northern Colorado. We are recent transplants from the south and were braced for worse. So far, so good.
It’s a strange year, weather-wise, Eve. Thanks so much for commenting.
Stay safe.
I am enjoying Wolf Hall but I am way behind with the daily reads. Like you, I prefer to read in large chunks plus I always have a couple of others books on the go.
Currently enjoying Yellowface, I had to return My name is Barbra to the library as there’s a long waiting list. No way could I read it in my allotted three weeks. I had only got as far as Hello Dolly!
I will go back on the list for another time.
The ‘trouble ‘ with working in a library is I am one of those responsible for choosing, purchasing and overseeing all new stock across four libraries so I know all the wonderful books in the pipeline.
When it comes to borrowing, staff are treated the same as the public. People assume we have perks but we have to pay fines like everyone else!
Weather wise, it’s been a typical Winter in my part of North West England – cold, extremely wet and some snow especially on the hills.
Landscape is not too dissimilar to that of All Creatures Great and Small – very green.
Happy Thursday – it’s morning and 44 degrees.
I loved Yellowface, and I have Barbra’s autobiography here, but haven’t really cracked it yet. Too much to read!
Lucky you, my friend. I love the landscape of All Creatures Great and Small. So, so beautiful!
Stay safe.
Last winter there was record snow fall, so much roofs were collapsing under the weight ( not mine, but so much worry. ) I could not see my five foot tall fence. This year has also has had above average snow fall, but not epoch like last year, so not as scary. I am grateful that the copious amount of snow is helping the Great Salt Lake survive after years of drought. I am looking forward to spring which does come late in the mountains.
Thank you for talking about the books you read.
Take Care,
Kaye
Good news about the Great Salt Lake, Kaye. I didn’t know that.
Stay safe.
Yes, the Winter has been crazy. We were at 72* on Tues then the temps dropped over 55* overnight. Sooo cold and windy yesterday. Today it was back in the 50’s and in the low 70’s by Sunday. It just isn’t good for the ground. The frost is out of the ground here which isn’t good. I wonder how gardening will be this season.
Our Daughter in Law just sent a text with a picture from Pre-school today. The kids were supposed to think of what they want to be when they grow up. Lots of them had Firefighter, Policeperson, Baker, Teacher, Doctor, Nurse, etc. She stood there with a huge smile and her little sign she held up so proudly said: “When I grow up, I want to be a ………….. MERMAID.”
It is good to have goals. Hope your rain hasn’t been too much. Take care and happy reading!
Freeze, thaw, freeze again – not good.
I love this little girl! She’s a hoot!
Stay safe.
We had one snowfall that amounted to more than an inch or two and didn’t stick for more than a day or two (if you count those, three). We’re supposed to be in the 60s, maybe 70s this week and we were over 70 the other day. It’s not that I mind it — I prefer it …. except I just don’t think it’s right and I hate to think what it means globally.
Exactly. I much prefer less snow, but it isn’t healthy for our planet.
Stay safe, Jeanie.