We had a mostly sunny day yesterday and one of the perks was seeing this silhouette of the sansevieria leaves on the wall above Stella.
Alas, today is not sunny, it’s gray. We had a small amount of snow overnight which has turned to rain, leaving us with a bit of a slushy mess. But we don’t have to clean it up as the temps will rise and it will all disappear. We’re in the low forties later today and then the temps plummet about 20 degrees on Friday – right in time for my trip to Hartford.
No complaints. I’ll bundle up and walk quickly through the streets of Hartford. Hat, gloves, scarf and winter coat; I’ll be fine.
I dropped by our little library yesterday to pick up two books that I had placed on hold. On the way in, I looked at the ‘new fiction’ shelf and there was the latest Lee Child. I haven’t read his last two books, so I grabbed it. When I arrived at the desk to check them out, I found there was a third book waiting for me, so I left the library with four books that are due in two weeks!
I finished The Snowman last night (excellent!) and I started The Family Next Door by Lisa Jewell this morning. It’s not quite at the level of Jo Nesbø, but it’s engaging, and I’m nearly 100 pages in. These books are considered ‘new’ so I can only have them for 14 days. I’m looking forward to all of them, but I’m especially fond of Joe Ide’s books (the IQ series) and was so happy to see another one had just been published. I’ve got a lot of reading to do!
When I’m in a book store and see a book I’m interested in, I take a picture of the cover with my phone and then I go home and search our library system for the title and, if it’s in the computer, put a hold on a copy. I took pictures of the covers of Hi Five and Lock Every Door last week and here they are in my hot little hands this week. It saves me money, as I don’t want to buy every new book I see, nor can I afford to. And, unless its Louise Penny or Michael Connelly, I have no guarantee whether I’ll like it. I’m trying to do this more and more and so far it seems to be working rather well.
We’re laying low today here at the Hill-Sparks cottage: reading, eating, Don may pay a visit to the library, I’m doing some laundry before I take off for Hartford tomorrow. Not very exciting, but we like it.
Happy Thursday.
Thanks for the book recommendations! I take your list and search MY library so I can pop in to grab your suggestions. Seems our tastes are similar. Happy reading! Thanks again!
You’re most welcome, Ellen!
Claudia, I must comment on your sparkling stove top. Gold Star!!!
Ah, thank you. It’s cleaned every night! Thanks, Leslie.
Enjoy your library books, Claudia. I’ve read the Riley Sager about the mysterious hotel in New York. I like to see how other libraries do stuff. Where I work it’s a three week loan regardless but no renewal if there’s holds on a book. I must say my fingers are twitching to remove the white spine labels with the authors’ surnames😀, so much extra work when you can clearly see and file their names in alphabetical order anyway. Plus a book won’t always be new and that label will need removing leaving a sticky residue….
This isn’t a criticism of American libraries, just a light hearted observation, in fact our library management system is American, any problems and we contact Utah, we now say hold instead of reservation, checkout instead of issue and check in for return.
Happy Thursday
That’s how they do it here, Dee Dee. I always see those stickers on the spines. I’ve never noticed a sticky residue on a spine, so maybe librarians have some secret for removing it? I don’t know.
So interesting that your library management system is American. Any particular reason why? Thanks.
We narrowed it down to three companies, two American, one British after asking for tenders a couple of years ago. I was representing the staff users/book purchasing views on a committee of four including the library system manager.
We liked it because it incorporated book purchasing and invoicing through EDI. The catalogue now shows you the cover of each book plus a synopsis. There’s lots more information for the public users e.g. what number you are on the holds list, which books are on order so they can put holds on them in advance.
The British company was actually our third choice😀
It sounds like what we have, Dee Dee! Thanks for the information. I find all of this fascinating. Would love to be a librarian in another life.
Ahhhh, books! My husband was out running some errands this morning and returned some books for me and there were 3 “new” ones waiting. I truly don’t know what I would do without the joy of reading.
We had about an inch of snow overnight and the temps here are dropping quickly. Tomorrow morning we are forecast to be at about -12* w/ wind chills of about -30. Another great reason to stay indoors and read!! Enjoy!
If only I could stay indoors tomorrow with the wind chills that are coming! Hartford – by the way – is such a windy city! Especially the block the theater is on. Ah well, I have to work, so I’ll bundle up. Thanks, Chris.
I have a Lisa Jewell — Watching You — on my read pile. A friend sends me some of her books (we trade) and this was one. I’ve not started it yet nor am I familiar with her so I’ll be interested in hearing what you think of her style. Sometimes the thrillers get a little too thrilling for me!
I don’t think I’ve ever told you how much I adore Stella. How I would have loved to replace my stove with one like Stella!
I think I read one of Jewell’s first books. I started and finished it in one day. It’s a mystery, but a mild one. It’s what I call “Mystery-Lite.” Interesting plot and she handles it well. I’d say her writing is okay. Not great. I was able to read it pretty quickly because there was no intricacy to the writing, no real depth. It’s a fun read, but it’s not Louise Penny!
Ah…Stella! She always looks great…and ready to cook.
Didn’t know about Joe Ide …the IQ series sounds interesting. Guess I’ll be adding him to my TBR list.
Sunny here, but cold and getting colder. We have 2 inches of fresh snow…I’m looking forward to next week when it warms up. Enjoy your new books and your day! ;)
He’s great. I think the first in the series is called IQ. Quirky and off-beat and terrifically written.
Thanks, Donnamae!
I love the pottering days.
I was disappointed with the last Jack Reacher novel – thought it lacked purpose and pace- still finished it tho!
Hope your travel and work goes well
Siobhan
I look at Child’s books as escape mysteries. They are what they are, they fit a formula, and I enjoy them. Years ago, when I had my gall bladder removed, I had just discovered Lee Child and I ordered all of his books from the library. I sat in the chair and read every one of them while I recovered! Thanks, Siobhan.
Have read three of those. Let me tell you this with no spoilers: I read LOCK EVERY DOOR and as an educator and writing instructor, I was not always happy with that aspect-that being said…I got up and checked the door to my apartment several times. I told one of the librarians…it is DIFFERENT…I can’t describe it…just different…few books are frightening…this one had something about it I can’t explain. Can’t wait to hear if you can explain what I am trying to say. Lots of luck in Hartford and traveling. Be careful and enjoy. Love the stove…
Oh, I’m often not happy with the writing. The book I read today was fine, but not what I would call excellent writing – it was adequate. But it was a great escape, which is exactly what it was supposed to be. I’m not going to start the Sager until I’m back from Hartford. Don’t want to be reading it while I’m in a strange apartment for the night tomorrow! Thanks, Brenda.
Had to chuckle when you wrote about strange apartment…I live alone and have at times for years. Never fearful. However, something in that book gave me the creeps. Lol
I lived alone for years, as well. I think starting that book when I’m in a strange place for one night, with all the strange noises, etc, is NOT a good idea!
You’re lucky you can concentrate on reading a book. Good discipline! I can’t fasten on to anything but politics (newspaper & TV, primarily). It goes in waves with me, like I suppose it does with everyone but, at the moment, past few weeks and now, I’m riveted and my husband is gearing up to work the polling place for Super Tuesday.
The other thing we’re focused on is my husband’s friend and former co-worker who is stuck on the Diamond Princess off Japan. We’re so frightened for them (husband and wife) with potential coronavirus threat. They’re senior-aged but he’s not retired (businessman). They are also very weary of being quarantined (and living with a lot of stress as can be imagined). We’re doing a lot of soap & water handwashing around here; my husband and I both are concerned about continuing spread of this killer virus. I’ve already got bad lungs. Lots of public health info and tips in our local newspaper yesterday although clearly just still too many unknowns.
And then we learned (as if we didn’t already know) that our part of SoCalif has had the dryest Jan & Feb on record, so we’re back in drought although there’s a fairly-good water supply at the moment from earlier rains at end of 2019 (or so I/how I understand it). I hope we get rain in March. Sometimes March comes thru for us.
In the meantime, I’m off to the beach for sanity. It’s lovely out there; 70 degrees, sunny and clear with blue skies and much less wind. We’ll get enough mucky/hazy weather come Spring; so, enjoying this as much as we can now.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Don tomorrow; you’re one of the most romantic couples I ‘know’.
I’m staying away from politics. I know what’s going on, but my mental and emotional health depends on me keeping a distance. There’s nothing I can do now but contact my Reps and Senators – and I do – and vote. In the meantime, I’m 67 and I want some peace!
I’m sorry to hear about your friends! That must be truly frightening.
Don and I will be apart for Valentine’s Day as I have to work in Hartford. More often than not, we seem to be apart on that day.
Thanks, Vicki.
I hope your Hartford gig goes well; safe travels; stay warm! I was reviewing the weather maps all over the U.S. and it seems you’ll be in good driving weather but just so darn cold when out and about, like daytime 20s. Brrrr; but, as you said, you know this kind of weather, are prepared for it; know how to dress; etc. It’s only 45 degrees out there right now at 11pm-ish PST in SoCalif but ‘way too cold for me. (I was out there trying to find my elusive cat again. But I just can’t breathe in that kind of cold, damp air.) I think I only experienced something like daytime 20s when dressed in a full-blown ski outfit for the slopes (when a much-younger gal), the very few times I ever did some downhill skiing. It was the one-piece snow bib; definitely kept me warm. Like overalls. I look awful in any kind of cap or hat, but it sure helped my head when chilly.
Yes, driving should be fine. But the wind chill this morning is in the teens! Yikes.
Have a safe trip. Glad that the rain washed away the snow.
Marilyn
Me too! And we didn’t have to do anything. Thanks, Marilyn!
Here in The South it was 76 yesterday, forecast for 29 tomorrow night.
I enjoyed your Stairway Art posts. Besides the visual pleasure of each piece, they keep all those good memories alive. Have a good trip to Hartford!
Thank you so much, Lynda. Sounds like many of us are dealing with a big drop in temperature!
I love seeing Stella. Not only is she truly a work of art, but her backstory is wonderful. And the sunlight on your yellow walls is brilliant! I’ve always loved white bathrooms and yellow kitchens and never had both at the same time. LOL. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Don. You share your love of each other, of life, of traveling, of books, art, theater, so many things with us nearly every day here, and we love that you do.
Thank you so much, Nora. Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too!