Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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What Are You Reading?

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We had a lot of rain yesterday, leaving a lot more leaves on the ground. I guess it’s time to haul out the rakes. Not my favorite thing to do, but as the Brits say, needs must!

Things have been low-key around here. Nothing exciting to report to you, just the gentle rhythm of our days. Yesterday’s rain – a quiet rain – made me happy. It gave me an excuse to sit around in cottagey rooms lit by our small vintage lamps, books at the ready, the sound of Don’s guitar in the background. All in all, a lovely day.

Today, after heavy morning fog, the day is sunny. After paying the bills and dropping them off at the post office, I think I’ll do some raking along with some general cleaning inside the house.

Along with Paris to the Moon, I’m reading another book that’s been on my shelf for several years. I bought it way back when I first visited The Mysterious Bookshop in NYC – Birdman  by Mo Hayder. It’s the first in her Jack Caffery series, which are police procedurals set in London. She’s since written 6 more books centering around Caffery. I love finding a new series, don’t you?

I also have M. J. Arlidge’s newest, Down the Woods, on tap. And, for those of you who read her books, don’t forget that Deborah Crombie’s newest, A Bitter Feast, will be coming out on October 8th.

Having said all that, this seems like the perfect time to ask my favorite question: What are you reading?

Please share.

Happy Friday.

 

 

Comments

  1. I’m on the last Louise Penny before the new one—Kingdom of the Blind. So, I’ll be looking for some new books soon. I thank you for your suggestions. They never let me down!

    We’re full-on Autumn around here. The apples and hot cider are calling.

  2. Hello Claudia,

    Did you happen to see the October issue of Victoria magazine? There is a story about an amazing miniaturist. I think you’d enjoy it.

  3. Snow in the forecast for this weekend, so a good read might be just the thing. I’ll probably carry on with my re-reading of Wallace Stegner’s Angle of Repose ( why, why isn’t this a mini series?), but then again I might just lie in the bath and read all the fiction in the issues of The New Yorker that are stacking up in my in-basket.

    • Snow! Oh boy.

      Love Wallace Stegner, though I’ve only read one of his books. And The New Yorker is great reading material anytime!

      Thanks, Barbara!

      • Way north! (Santa Claus is just up the street.) The Stegner book is heavy going at times, but I love reading of frontier adventures in America.

  4. The leaves are starting to change here. And according to the meteorologist we are on the verge of a drought. Which I find surprising after having so much rain this summer. I finished reading “Legacy of the Dead” by Charles Todd a couple of days ago. The book left me hanging so I had to put the next one on hold. The book I am reading now is by Jacqueline Winspear “An Incomplete Revenge”. There is a new book to me that I just found out about today. The book is by Hallie Rubenhold called “The Five:The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper”. The book is on hold. I have not read any books by this author.

  5. I’m waiting for Benjamin Myers The Offing which is currently on hold for me at the library. It’s created quite a buzz on BBC Radio 4 , it’s fiction set in the aftermath of the Second World War and tells the story of a 16 year old boy who decides to walk the countryside & coast around Durham before deciding whether to work as a coal miner. My Dad’s ancestors were miners in County Durham and life was tough.

    On a lighter note, I’ve got an American novel Park Avenue Summer by Renee Rosen on my bedside table. It’s the fictionalized account of Helen Gurley Brown and Cosmopolitan magazine set in 1960s New York.

    Thanks for the heads up on Babylon Berlin. I’ve just started watching the second series. It’s breathtakingly good. For my history exams in my youth I studied Britain, USA, Russia and Germany between 1870 and 1945. The historical accuracy and attention to detail is superb!

    Happy Friday

  6. I just finished “The Land of Mango Sunsets” by Dorothea Benton Frank. I was so sorry to hear she died a few weeks ago. And I”m getting ready to read “Lost Lake” by Sara Addison Allen. I’ve really enjoyed the books I’ve read by her so far.

  7. I adore Crombie. And that reminds me — time for a quick re-read (or at least the last half) of Crombie’s last — it’s taken her quite sometime. Some writers, Crombie, Penny, Jacqueline Winspeare, Susan Elia Macneal — they can’t write fast enough for me!

    Right now I’m reading a very short, fast book called “Dear Madam President” by Jennifer Palmieri. It’s more than a political campaign rehash of Hilary’s campaign but a look at the role of women, the stuggles made and still fighting and while the focus is politics, it’s really about the world. Also, because I’m at the lake and didn’t bring enough new stuff, I’m looking at a series I got decades ago about the NYC 1950s sleuthing couple, The Norths in a series by Frances and Richard Lockridge. Sometimes the writing really bugs me and certainly reading it in the 21st century! But they are a fast read while I’m still here. The big question — what’s next from the huge pile when I get home!

  8. Just this morning finished reading “The Only Woman In the Room” by Marie Benedict – about amazing life of Hedy Lamarr. I’ll be interested to hear the book club discussion on Monday related to this book.
    Earlier this week read Elizabeth Berg’s “The Year of Pleasures”. I’m glad I read this book.. although the title made me hesitate wondering at the topic. I found this to make me want to read more of her books.
    Also read “The Cat at the Wall” by Deborah Ellis. A quick read. remarkable and thought-provoking. The notes on the back “On Israel’s West Bank, a cat sneaks into a small Palestinian house that has just been commandeered by two Israeli soldiers. The house seems empty until the cat realizes a little boy is hiding beneath the floorboards…” Discovered this book while volunteering in the middle school library. The librarian generously lets me check out books on my grandson’s account.

  9. Happy Autumn!
    We’re coming down from the last hurrah of summer weather , to this weekends forecast of cool temps & a small bit of rain. Here is No. California we’ll take everything drop of rain. If all goes as forecasted, I’ll enjoy a bit of cozy Autumn nesting too!
    I’m reading “Sweeping up Glass” by Carolyn Wall.
    Enjoy,
    Deb

  10. I just finished Louise Penny’s newest and Flynn Barry’s A Double Life. Now I have The last house guest by Megan Miranda started and it’s a slow start. You reminded me about Mo Hayder. I read one very good one in the series and need to check out the others. And yes, can ‘t wait for the new Deborah Crombie! I love to see what everyone is reading.

  11. On the brink of finishing one of Angela Thirkell’s comfort books, ”Enter Sir Robert” and will then pick up either Sinclair Lewis’ “It Can’t Happen Here” or Thomas Hardy’s “The Return of the Native,” both waiting to be reread.

    • I have It Can’t Happen Here on my list. though no copy in the house yet.

      Hurrah for comfort books, Margaret!

  12. After three weather-perfect days (sunny, 70’s, cool breeze), it is cold and thunderstorming here. Even though I prefer that kind of weather (especially sunshine), I’m embracing the dark and rain today as it’s very peaceful. I have candles lit all around me. Like you mentioned, it’s a good day to just cuddle up in some blankets and read and relax.

    I just finished one of Mary Oliver’s books of poems I hadn’t read before – Thirst. And I just started two non-fiction books: The Artists’ and Writers’ Cookbook – A Collection of Stories with Recipes and Please Understand Me – Character and Temperament Types. I’ve also been trying to catch up on my magazine stash!

    xoxo

    • I don’t think I’ve read Thirst yet. I have to remedy that. Take care of yourself. You’ve had an emotional week, my friend.

      • Honestly, Thirst wasn’t one of my favorites. These poems were written soon after the death of her partner and she writes a lot about “the Lord” and God…which was a little too heavy-handed for me; although in usual Mary Oliver style, there were some gems in this little book.

        Yes, I have had an emotional week. Thank you for recognizing that. I am laying low today and practicing self-care.

  13. Living smack dab (I love that phrase) in the middle of the woods I don’t rake the yard. I let the wind carry the leaves back into the woods. I like to watch the whirlwind of leaves.

    Right now I am not reading anything. GASP! Because, I finished Into the Raging Sea this morning at 3. It was the story of a container ship lost at sea during Hurricane Joaquin in 2015. I had to finish it before I could sleep. It taught me a lot and is a well written history of a tragic event. I might next try a book on the sinking of the Edmond Fitzgerald.

    I am taking to heart your reply to me the other day about physical book vs Kindle. I am going to put it to test. I don’t retain much when I read. I always thought it was because I read so fast, or because my youthful misadventures had maybe dulled those parts of my brain. However, I will read a few physical books and leave the Kindle alone for a bit to find out. I’ll let you know what my results are.

    • Good! An experiment!

      We don’t rake the leaves in the back forty. But we do around the house and on the front lawn – which is very close to the street.

      I lived in Michigan when the Edmund Fitzgerald sank. I remember it well. Haunting and tragic. And then, of course, there’s Gordon Lightfoot’s song about it, as well.

  14. I just finished The tattooist of Auschwitz
    At times it was so painful I had to put it down, but I do think it is something we must never forget
    I love hearing about other books
    Yes Stegner is a great author!

    • I don’t know if I can handle that book at the moment, though I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about it. I’ll definitely read it in the future. Thanks, Linda.

  15. Fun! My favorite posts as I learn of so many wonderful books. I also read The Only Woman in the Room about Hedy Lemar and I thought it was really good! I am currently reading The Flight Girls about young women in WWII who flew planes from place to place so the men could fight. So interesting!! Also recently read The Guest Book by Sarah Blake. Another one to make us think. I have The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins ready to go and also Brideshead Revisited which I know I read but can’t remember!! So many books………. I know this post will add to my list for sure, as it always does!

    • There’s a recent documentary about Hedy Lamarr that is excellent. The suggestions in the comments are always terrific. Thanks, Chris!

    • Gladys Tabor’s books are wonderful – what I call comfort reads! That reminds me that I want to read some more of them.

      Thanks, Barbara!

  17. Am almost finished reading ‘Heartstone’ by C.J. Sansom, have tried to read it slowly as there are only 2 books left in the series! They’ve all been really enjoyable. Next on the list is ‘ The Paris Wife’ by Paula McLain. Hope you both have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

  18. I am reading a nine part series. The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill. It is about the Amish. The grandparents are the matchmakers. Claudia I love the Gladys Taber books. My sister was just saying she wants to reread them again. We all have read them twice. We have quite a collection of Gladys Taber books. We all like to reread some of the books we red many years ago. Anne of Green Gables,Little House,etc. Enjoy your books Claudia.
    Marilyn

  19. I envy your gentle daily rhythm. I don’t have it right now. My home is a torn-up mess as we begin (again) mega home improvements; my stuff is boxed away; they’re about to carry off my sofa to reupholster it; I have a yard crew coming in to de-weed the hill and trim (a regular thing, but it’s also to clear a debris field so that we can build a fence); and the roofer is here in a couple of days to let us know if we can limp the roof replacement to next summer. And, in the meantime, we’re in the mid-to-high 70s with 65% humidity at 4pm, so it’s a swamp out there and I’ve gotta go in it for errands in about five minutes; yuck (just glad it’s not mid-to-high 90s; maybe we’ve FINALLY gotten out of the 90s).

    I’m having a hard time relaxing; even the beach hasn’t helped. Just too wound up with too much going on. I miss winding down by reading at bedtime but it’s when my eyes are the worst with my current vision issues. One thing calming me for sleep is a portable mini (electric) fan at the bedside table which has a gentle, soft whhrrrrr to it. (I guess that’s white noise or pink noise. Feels good on the warm nights, though.)

    I guess complicating things is that I came down with a darn cold. A real-deal cold. And I haven’t had one for a long time. It’s early in the season for a cold but I’ve got the drippy nose, sore throat, sneezing, coughing; four or five days into it. It’s really exacerbating my asthma now. I coughed/was awake all night and slept in til noon today. I think I got run down when we were under-a-deadline decluttering, too many late nights with it, not enough sleep; stress; and although I get exposed to germs because I ‘live’ in a lot of doctors’ offices, I’m so careful with handwashing, discriminate use of hand sanitizer, etc., so it’s a bit deflating that I still was susceptible to virus. Boo-hoo.

    Some weather reports say we might get a bit of rain tonight; it’s been threatening my part of SoCalif for the past two days; very stormy-looking. I can’t even recall when we last got rain here; was it April or May? Anything would help, even drizzle. Hills are dry. A couple of days ago, we drove thru the areas where the wildfire of coming-up-on two years ago destroyed so many homes and there are still many empty lots, very sad; quite a few brand-new builds, some damaged homes still under construction. A lot of work in progress (they don’t need rain delays, yet we need rain). So many of the new builds are ultra mid-century looking, with rectangles and squares, flat roots, no exposed eaves, not a lot of vegetation/landscaping; I’m not ‘up’ on details, but it’s gotta have some common thread on how people insisting to still live in the fire-prone hills had to recreate their burned-out homes to be more fire-safe. I don’t think we can hit this period now of Fall, going into Nov-Dec, without fear of more wildfire; it’s just ingrained now; none of us can ever forget; it took over a month for them to contain the Thomas Fire here in 2017-18. Used to be once the Santa Anas stopped blowing and we’d had a first rain, we thought we were in the clear for fire. Now, since the Thomas Fire (started first week in Dec) with climate change and global warming, it’s all changing. Where I am, we haven’t had any of the winds yet; believe me, they’ll come. I can remember being a little girl and trying to ride my new bike on Christmas Day, buffeted by a Santa Ana wind so strong that I just couldn’t do it.

    • So, Claudia, my sofa. After checking a lot of stuff online and going into the retail stores, I worked further with my upholsterer, who’s been doing this 24 years and, before he owned the store, it was his uncle’s who’d started business in the 1950s, so it’s a family tradition of artisans (his main ‘sew-er’ has been with him the entire 24 years; learned the craft from his father in Mexico). I kept coming up with various velvets (100% cotton velvet; poly velvets; nylon velvets; what an education!), found my ‘tones’ (I’m not looking for pattern; it’s a solid-color for all my reupholstered furniture; I’ll ultimately have 4 pieces for him, but not all at once). Jose obtained for me additional, larger samples from what’s in the sample books and he’s giving me a dramatic reduction in the price per yard (I’m also a former customer as has been my extended family; he has an excellent reputation and does boats, RVs, cars, planes, fine furniture, etc.). Good fabric, made in the USA (Minnesota); can use a water-based cleaner; is eco-friendly for less off-gassing once home. I’m feeling pretty good about it. And I’m helping a small-business owner in my own hometown, which is stuff I believe in. Wish me luck!

      (My aunt’s old sofa is well-built but it’ll look a lot diff from when I was a kid in the 1950s-60s and we were afraid to sit on its snow-white brocade. My husband has been marvelous about going along with the whole idea although he’s been reluctant about reupholstering for a long time; he was finally convinced of the quality of construction in the original pieces. We’ve looked at a lot of crap in the stores. It’s not lucky for him to be colorblind, but it’s lucky for me in that he can’t argue with me on color, so I selfishly got to choose what I thought was best for us and our home. We’ll be similar to your cactus color. I love what you and Don bought!)

    • Well, if its any comfort, we simply cannot afford any renovations and have never been able to, so that kind of upheaval – and I know it is stressful – is unknown to us. Hang in there, Vicki!

      • I think your lovely cottage already had the updates we still lack; you were wise to find a place that was pretty-much turnkey and already ‘done’; you got best of both worlds. Vintage/historical but helpfully modernized.

        I’m determined to do the bare minimum. I’m guarding the money end of things; my husband is a perfectionist on home improvements (which is part of why it can upset the budget and also why it takes so LONG with us); me, not so much. We have this problem with the dual-pane windows where they had some sort of leak from when Dad had hired somebody to replace them but of course any warranty has expired. I told my husband that we don’t need to a full-sweep, all new windows; look closely and several don’t need to be replaced. We can be selective and it’ll save on the cost. We’ve gotta gut the shower stall but no way am I getting rid of my 1950s pink bathtub. We’re not going to pay for the expense of refinishing the wood floors (I can’t breathe in any kind of varnish-esque chemicals anyway); we’re just on-your-knees cleaning them (already done two bedrooms and hallway) and they’ll have to do. (My parents’ home; they were pretty careful all thru the years with their floors and a lot had the protection of carpet.)

        Where Hubs and I aren’t agreeing is the kitchen. They’re certainly not my choice, but I can live with the laminate-style countertops my parents had installed 25 years ago after the old formica ones just had to go; my husband abhors this laminate stuff. Appliances are all on their last legs; but that’s do-able, and we already got a heckuva deal on craigslist from when a woman who’s a professional CHEF decided to get rid of a dishwasher in her home which was only a few months old (just ’cause it ultimately wasn’t big enough for her catering needs). I’d love to get rid of the tinny, ancient, stainless steel sink and go back to white porcelain but it’ll prob remain a dream. I love open shelving but I’m also reluctant to ditch the kitchen cabinets from my youth, since I grew up in this home (I get sentimental about it). So I suggested one section of a bare wall for some shelving; again, do-able (adapt, modify).

        Anyway, my idea is to scale back and spend as little money as possible and get to the ‘living’ in the home. We’re not fancy. We’re not doing home improvements with selling in mind. It’s just us. I don’t need perfection. I know the ‘roof fund’ should come before reupholstering my furniture but we simply can’t sit on the furniture any longer; it’s ruining our ‘tail bones’ and spines. Need new springs; new cushioning. So I’m totally excited about the furniture. A physical therapist here for my mom, even 9 years ago, said he could not sit on the sofa because it had no support. I think the sofa deserves an overhaul after not being reupholstered since 1982. When you’ve got a small house like we do (and you do), the sofa is the focal point of the living room, like the only thing we sit on; so this has been a really important decision on what to do about it. (We thought about not having a sofa. Like, instead, do two recliners. Doesn’t seem to work for us. though; at least not right now.)

        We haven’t bought any ‘new’ furniture except a mattress in, like, 13 years. My spare bedroom set is the one my aunt sent to me brand-new when I was age 8 (when she was horrified I didn’t have a proper set of bedroom furniture!). We did buy Mom a new flat-screen TV about 10 years ago, so that’s here and was a newer purchase. I’ve got mostly old stuff in my house, like another aunt’s dining table (nice wood) from the 1940s. Dad’s used desk from 1964. My loveseat I bought secondhand in 1976, on its 3rd fabric/re-covering. Mom & Dad’s bookcase from 1948. And on it goes. (I think I’m trying to justify the expense of reupholstering the big, ‘ol sofa; but, you know, I think we’re worth it; I think we deserve a ‘new’, good-for-the-back sofa!)

  21. Thank you for this post. I love your photos of your garden and your flowers.
    I have learned a lot about different authors I haven’t heard of previously by reading your followers comments. I have started reading John Connolly after your recommendation. I am in the middle of Dark Hollow.

    Our weather is 80 -87 degrees and dry. We are praying for rain. It is the topic of conversation on everyone’s lips.

    • Oh, he’s such a wonderful writer! I’m glad you’re reading him. I think he’s unlike any other writer out there.

      Hope you get rain!

  22. I love this post and the comments where we see what everyone is reading! I just started The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan and I can tell it’s a book I will enjoy. With a British setting, a lovely old house that is almost a character in itself and sensitive characters, it’s a winner! Thanks for starting the conversation, Claudia!

    • I’ve seen that book. I’ll have to get it, Carol – for the title alone!

      You’re welcome. I love these conversations.

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