Windy all day yesterday and very cold! Today is much better wind-wise and I do believe I see the sun peeking through the clouds.
In our morning conversation yesterday, we touched on Patti Smith and her Instagram account (which I follow) and her writing. You may recall that I purchased two of her books recently. Don got more and more intrigued by her as I shared some of her IG posts, which are always poetical, so much so that he decided that he wanted to read one of her books. I offered to share mine, though I hadn’t cracked them open yet, but he didn’t want to read my copies before I had the chance to read them. I mentioned her newest book, Year of the Monkey, which is out in hardcover, as a possibility. He called a local bookshop. They didn’t have it on hand, but would be ordering some more copies soon.
I was sure that Oblong Books (our favorite independent bookshop that is across the Hudson in Rhinebeck) would have it. I called them while Don was in the shower and, yes, they had it. Since Don had a previous commitment during the middle of the day, I offered to drive to the shop and get it for him.
In case you’re thinking that I’m completely and angelically unselfish, it’s a bookshop that I love and I hadn’t been there for a while. I benefitted, as well.
It was a windy but sunny day and the Hudson was glittering in the midday sun. It’s a lovely drive to take on a Friday afternoon. I had a very nice visit; seeing what’s new, checking out fiction and mystery and classics and travel. In the end, I bought a few inexpensive books, as well as the newest Patti Smith.
The red and black Olive Editions, by Harper Perennial, are limited editions that are only $10 each. This particular series of Olive Editions is centered on mysteries. I already have a couple here at home; Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers, which I’ve now read, and Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz, which is in my TBR pile. I don’t know how much longer these will be offered, so I grabbed Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon (the first of her series) and The Redbreast by Jo Nesbö. I also wanted another Simenon/Maigret mystery. I can’t find them in any other bookstore around here. Thank goodness for Oblong! Weather by Jenny Offill, is a new book that I’ve read very good things about. It happens to be signed; I think she’s doing an event at Oblong.
Don got the newest Patti Smith, which means I’ll be able to read it as well.
It was an unexpected and nice diversion on a Friday. I came home, ate some lunch and cleaned a bit. All in all, a nice day.
I’m looking forward to the warm-up that is headed our way soon. It was too cold yesterday!
Happy Leap Year and Happy Birthday to all those born on February 29th who get to celebrate on the actual day of their birth.
Happy Saturday.
