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What are You Reading?

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Saturday.

Another rainy day for us, though it hasn’t started yet. On Monday, the high is only going to be 29 degrees. With wind. Oh, joy.

Looks like March wants to go out making a strong statement. I’ll be happy to see it go.

Don is currently in his car filming another car concert. He really gets a kick out of that. Don is a brilliant actor, but he’s really a performer at heart. He’s been performing since he was playing in bands at the age of 10. I know he misses doing that and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he starts playing in public at some point. Also, he hasn’t done any acting in over 2 years and he misses it. Bless him, he finds ways to keep his creative juices flowing.

I am smack dab in the middle of The Lincoln Highway, which I’m really loving. Amor Towles is a terrific storyteller and he tells this one from different points of view. I just sit back and enjoy the ride.

I’m anxious to get back outside and do some work. I did pick up some fallen branches the other day. There’s more to be done but I felt like I was doing something. With the constant babying of my back driving me crazy, grabbing a few branches felt like a victory.

I mentioned what I’m reading. I’m also reading some Mary Oliver essays in her book, Upstream.

Tell us: What are you reading?

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Comments

  1. I just started a book yesterday that is upsetting but interesting: “Allow Me to Retort: a black guy’s guide to the constitution” by Elie Mystal. He explains the law and the history behind a lot of the rulings that we are still in a quandary about today. He has an easy to read, down to earth way of expressing his views and I am finding it hard to put down.
    I just put “The Lincoln Highway” on hold at my library – it is popular right now! Thanks!

    • I love Elie Mystal and follow him on Twitter. I’ll have to read that, Ellen.

      Thanks so much.

      Stay safe.

  2. I just started reading The Storyteller by Dave Grohl. He is the front man for his band the Foo Fighters. Woke up this morning to find out his drummer, Taylor Hawkins had passed away. They were on tour in Columbia. He was found unresponsive in his hotel room two hours before their show. Foo Fighters are one of my favorite bands. I’m so sad today. I felt the same way when Tom Petty died. I realize I did not personally know these people, but their music has played an important part in my life.

    • I was totally shocked by the death of T. Hawkins! It was not that long ago I saw The Foo Fighters interviewed for their movie. Very sad.

      • We just finished a documentary on FF and I’m still in shock today after hearing this sad, sad news last night …..

        • I know what you mean. All day I have been walking around in a daze. It’s just so sad.

    • So sad! And shocking.

      That band is like a family. I’m sure they’re all devastated.

      Stay safe, April.

  3. I loved “The Lincoln Highway”. I wished it wouldn’t end. I’m not reading anything now but I can feel the need to lose myself in a good book coming on.

  4. I’m reading “ The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig which was a present from my sister. It’s an easy read and a book you can pick up and put down when you feel like it but not one you can really get into and absorbed by. I have just picked up “Violeta” by Isabel Allende which was recommended by a friend, I’m looking forward to it.
    Take care.

  5. I have been reading “We Live Our Faith”, a confirmation text book. I was recently asked by our pastor to teach the confirmation class. I was not brought up in the Church, and was baptized as an adult. I have taught this material before as a religion teacher in a Catholic school. Just the vocabulary is fascinating. I know that as an adolescent, these concepts were never presented for my consideration: faith, service, morality. I wonder about the students, and how they are responding. As I said, I have taught this before, but I am different now.

    • I think so many things resonate with us in a different way as we grow older, Leslie.

      Thanks for sharing.

      Stay safe.

  6. I just finished reading “The Next To Last Stand” by Craig Johnson. I really, really like the character Walt Longmire. I just started “Pond” by Irish author Claire – Louise Bennett.

    Have a lovely day,
    Kaye
    Park City, UT

    • Isn’t it wonderful to have a book on hand, waiting to be read?

      Thanks, Kaye.

      Stay safe.

  7. A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson. Too early to tell how I feel about it. Her writing—her turn of phrase— goes easily into my distracted brain and I’ve loved some of hers, but sometimes the story leaves me a little…, um, un-engaged? I’m remembering how you loved Transcription, but I did not. I’ll keep trying to get into this one if life does not intervene.

    • I’ve loved everything I’ve read of Atkinson’s. Not that I’ve read them all. I’m most interested in her mystery series.

      Thanks, Shanna.

      Stay safe.

  8. I so wish that now that Law and Order is back filming, we’d see Don soon! I hope so!

    I just saw that they bombed about 10 miles out of Lviv in a suburb. This is just crushing my soul.

    I just finished Leila Philips “The Road Through Miyama” about her journey to a village in Japan to apprentice with a traditional potter in this region known for its pottery. Along with learning about the pottery and process (in not too academic forms) and its history, there is much about the life in Japan as she learns to plan and sow rice and connects with the various villagers. I found it fascinating.

    Now I’m reading Erik Larson’s “The Splendid and the Vile” about Churchill during World War II. For being such a thick book I’m surprised at how fast I’m reading it. I’ve always liked Larson’s writing and his research is good. He makes it clear in the forward that this is non-fiction and any conversations are those as recounted in diaries and letters. Next on my pile I think will be the new autobiography of Eileen Atkins. I’ve always enjoyed her screen work and was lucky enough to see her with Jonathan Pryce in “The Height of the Storm” when we were in London. That stack is tall — Jennifer Worth’s “Call the Midwife,” Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s “The War Within and Without,” several new Donna Leons, an Anthony Horowitz…. the list goes on and on. Trying to get up the energy to tackle Edward Rutherfurd’s “New York,” which will take my stack down two or three inches!

    • oh your list sounds so interesting
      I have put “The road through Miyama” on my list
      Thank you

    • Law and Order tends to overuse an actor – Don is one of many – and then they can’t really use them anymore. Don was in at least 5 or 6 episodes in the various incarnations.

      Thanks for sharing, Jeanie.

      Stay safe.

  9. I received Brene Brown’s new book “Atlas of the Heart” for Christmas and I plan to start reading it this weekend while we wait for the new snow that fell last night to melt ….

    X Chy

  10. I am reading”Unthinkable” by Jamie Raskin
    He lead the team that prosecuted Trump.
    What an honorable man.

    • I love Jamie Raskin. He lost his son just days before January 6h.

      Thanks, Linda.

      Stay safe.

  11. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. Love it. The TV show is very good and pretty much true to the book. But, as always, I’m enjoying the book more.

    • I have it here in my TBR pile

      Both my mom and Don read the series many years ago and Don can’t believe that I, with my love for animals, have never read it!

      Enjoy, Luanne.

      Stay safe.

    • Maeve Binchy is a favorite of so many readers, Denise.

      Thanks for sharing.

      Stay safe.

  13. I’m not reading. Too much going on in my life to concentrate or get deep in a book, which I miss, although I could force myself and it would probably be good for me.

    You must enjoy that window light on your glass paperweights!

    • It helps sometimes to just force yourself to start reading a book. I’ve had to do that many times in the past few years.

      Stay safe, Vicki.

  14. I’ve just finished Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh, a crime thriller from the Eddie Flynn series. Highly improbable but hugely readable.

    I’ve given up the Booker Prize winner The Promise by Damon Galgut which from the blurb charts the crash and burn of a white South African family. Mainly because it’s another book without chapters, I’m not sure there’s any paragraphs either. I read the first eighty pages then cheated and read the ending!

    Late to the party, I’m just starting Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and I am already hooked.

    The clocks move forward tonight to British Summertime which means an hour less in bed but lighter evenings.
    It’s Mothers Day tomorrow and Mothering Sunday in church. There’s the lovely tradition where by the children give daffodils to all the women in church (you don’t have to be a mother).

    Happy Saturday

    • That’s a series I’m not familiar with. I’ll have to make a note of it.

      Enjoy Mothering Sunday, Dee Dee.

      Stay safe.

    • It isn’t cheating to read the end of a book you don’t like. I do it al the time. At age 66, I am not going to wade through a book I’m not enjoying when there are so many good books waiting for me.

  15. Claudia, I just finished another Louise Penny book. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy each of the books in the Gamache series. Thank you so much for introducing her writing to me. I have at least one book going ,if not two at a time. What a gift my mother gave to me by buying great books and instilling the love of reading in me. Sherry B

    • I’m so glad you’re enjoying them, Sherry!

      I was thinking the same thing yesterday – I get my love of reading from my mom and I thank her for that every day!

      Stay safe.

  17. I love the way the light hits your paper weights. I miss having more windows in my little duplex. I just got a book by Vivian Swift. She does travelers journals with watercolor illustrations and they are so calming and inspiring to me. I’ve ordered the one she did of France. Hugs!

  18. I’m reading Fuzz (when Nature Breaks the Law) by Mary Roach. She is a terrific, wry writer and the book relates stories about man and wildlife trying to live in close quarters, mostly unsuccessfully and often deadly.

  19. I’m reading The Soul of America; the Battle for Our Better Angels by John Meacham. It’s an incredible insightful read about our country’s current state and a look back at where we’ve come from. I’m not sure it’s making me feel much better about our current situation, but it’s amazing where we’ve been and we’re still standing!

  20. Just finished “ Have You Seen Luis Velez” by Catherine Ryan Hyde and really enjoyed it. Starting the “Outlander” series. I feel like I’m the only person on earth who doesn’t watch it. Lol

  21. I’ve just started a book from The Oregon Files, Final Option. It’s action and adventure, and quite an easy, but interesting read, which suits me these days. It takes me away from real world events. Just another distraction for me. Happy reading!! ;)

    • Action, Adventure, Mysteries – they are the perfect escape.

      Thanks, Donnamae.

      Stay safe.

  22. My favorite posts!!!! Just finishing The Magnolia Palace. Loving it!!!! Up next are The Reading List and Her Hidden Genius. So fun to see what others are reading!! I am down to #76 on 51 copies on The Lincoln Highway. I started in the 200’s, so I am moving up!!!

    Soooo cold here. Wind chills around 0* tomorrow morning. Very tired of it. Hope you had a good day! Take care.

    • I just finished “The Magnolia Palace” too. I like Fiona Davis books because I love NYC and its history. The Frick is one of my favourite “little” museums in NYC. I like that Davis sets her books in two time periods. If you haven’t read her other books, check them out.

  23. I really enjoyed Lincoln Highway! The last 3 books I’ve read- A Train to Moscow by Elena Gorokhova , Scarlet Carnation by Laila Ibrahim and The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis were excellent. Just started State of Terror by Louise Penny and Hillary Clinton.
    Hoping the snow tomorrow misses us so the crocus and daffs will finally bloom. I have fabric to cut for a quilt so I won’t be bored!

    • Snow showers are possible today, but I sure hope they fizzle out.

      Thanks so much for sharing, Betsy.

      Stay safe.

  24. wI am reading the last book in the Betty Hechtman Crochet mysteries series. Waiting on my side table is The Lincoln Highway. I really enjoyed The Man in Moscow and everyone says this one is good too.

    • In my opinion, for what it’s worth, it’s a wonderful book. I really mean it when I say the Amor Towles is a great storyteller.

      Thanks for sharing, Joyce.

      Stay safe.

    • If any other person had written “The Lincoln Highway” I would have liked it immensely. However, Amor Towles raised the bar for himself with “A Gentleman in Moscow” that I was somewhat disappointed in TLH. It wasn’t nearly the quality of AGiM.

        • I agree. I’ve read Rules of Civility and A Gentleman in Moscow . I think that The Lincoln Highway will stay with me for a very long time.
          Just my humble opinion. :)

          • I’ve read them both, as well. I was thinking about The Lincoln Highway this morning and it reminds me of John Irving at his best. A wonderful story, quirky characters, different points of view. I LOVE THIS BOOK!

            xoxo

  25. I just finished “We Are Not Like Them” by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza. It is a thought-provoking book that was hard to put down. Showing friends caught on two sides of a racial issue made me think so much. Now I’m getting all my friends to read it so we can discuss it. I’m about 100 pages into “Night Portrait” by Laura Morelli and it is engaging me.

  26. I just finished two cozy mysteries by Victoria Gilbert. They’re fast reads and somewhat predictable, but I still enjoy them. Now I’m getting ready to read The War Widow by Tara Moss. I’ve never heard of her but the synopsis sounded good, so we’ll see!

  27. I’m a day late to this conversation but I had to share about the book that I just read. It is titled: “O, The Brave Music” by Dorothy Evelyn Smith. Written in the 1940’s it was at first hard to find but I persisted as it was mentioned as a favorite book of another blogger, Simon Thomas of “Stuck in a Book”. It is part of a newish series of books called “British Library Women Writers Books” of which Thomas is an editor. These are books that had been out of print by women writers published during in the mid 20th century. “O The Brave Music” was a gem – a coming of age story of an imaginative young English girl named Ruan at the turn of the century. The closest comparison I could think of is to “Anne of Green Gables” as young Ruan loves literature and revels in the beauty of nature – particularly the Yorkshire moors. I loved it!

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