Well. We’ve had high heat and humidity for the past few days – a bit more of that today. Yesterday, it ‘felt’ like 99°. In the early evening, we had a huge thunderstorm. Very fierce, windy – the kind where I had to run out on the porch to retrieve some things that were blowing around. I got soaked.
We’re getting more of this stormy weather for at least 5 or 6 days. Oh goodie! More rain! (I’m being sarcastic here.)
I am ready for cool, crisp fall days. Because we’ve had excessive rain this year, the colors won’t be as vivid. But I don’t drive up to this area for the fall colors. I live here. I just want the dreadful summer we had to disappear. This is a not my normal response because I usually want to hang on to summer as long as possible.
I mowed the back forty yesterday morning, trying to get it done before the heat became unbearable. We hadn’t mowed that section yet and I knew that rain was headed our way. I got in a little exercise, which is good, and it’s done. The whole cycle will begin again after the rains leave. One thing about a summer of constant rain: the grass has stayed very green. But the other side to that? We have to keep mowing. Usually, by this time of year, the growth of the grass has slowed up considerably.
Not this year!
I guess the positive in all of that is that I’m getting exercise.
I have about 150 pages left in War and Peace. I didn’t read it first thing this morning like I usually do because I woke up at 5 am for the second day in a row and I was feeling it. But I’ll read some more later. I’ll miss that daily ritual. Next year’s readalong is the Cromwell trilogy by Hilary Mantel. I’m really looking forward to that.
I have 8 books on hold at the library. Four of them haven’t been published yet, but they will be published in the next couple of months. I’m learning that readers in my area are on top of upcoming books and reserve them way ahead of time. I need to sharpen my game!
So, here’s a list of what I’ve reserved:
The Close by Jane Casey (an Irish/British crime writer – I love her books.) I’m currently in #1 position in the queue. Fingers crossed it arrives at my library soon. Today would be nice.
None of this is True by Lisa Jewell. I mistakenly reserved the large print edition, so I reserved the standard edition as well, but truth be told, the large print edition will get to me much sooner, so I’ll go with that. #3 in the large print queue, #159 in the standard print queue.
The Girl in the Eagle’s Talons by Karen Smirnoff. This is the newest book in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. Since Stieg Larsson, the original author, died several years ago, the series has been continued via a couple of authors. They’ve done a very good job of honoring Larsson’s characters and writing style. This one has had very good reviews. #4 in the queue and let me tell you, this queue has moved quickly!
The Secret Hours by Mick Herron. A stand alone spy novel by the author of the Slow Horses series (which I’ve raved about on this blog.) It’s coming out on September 12th. #12 in the queue.
The Running Grave – a Cormoran Strike Novel by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling.) Coming out on September 26th. #23 in the queue.
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman – the next book in the Thursday Night Murder Club series. Coming out on September 20th. #34 in the queue.
Resurrection Walk by Michael Connelly – the newest book in the Lincoln Lawyer series. Coming out November 7th. His books almost always come out in November. #157 in the queue.
Tom Lake by Anne Patchett. Recently published and #181 in the queue.
There you have it.
In the meantime, I’m rereading the second book in The Deptford Trilogy – The Manticore.
I’m obsessed with this list and check it more than once during the day.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday,
Ah, this reminded me to go put The Last Devil to Die on hold – #303, but only #28 for the large print version (which I actually prefer). It will be interesting to see how long it takes to get through 303 other readers – probably our very large library system will have many copies of this particular book.
South of you here we have not had rain for 5 weeks and would love to have some of yours – there are thunder storms predicted daily for the next several days, so fingers crossed. We are carrying buckets of water to some shrubs we planted earlier in the summer!
Ceci
I hope you get some rain, Ceci. We had more yesterday.
Last year at this time I was hand watering every plant in the garden because we were in the middle of a drought. What a change this year!
Stay safe.
That’s definitely a list! I haven’t read Casey — must check her out. I didn’t realize the Osmun was out so soon. Yay! My friend is passing Tom Lake on when she finishes it. Ann Patchett, Northern Michigan, Our Town — what’s not to love?
She’s a wonderful writer – she writes the Maeve Kerrigan series.
Exactly re Patchett. My home state and one of my favorite plays!
Stay safe.
hope you get your weather wish soon. all the other ones, too.
you have an impressive list of books ahead! whether it’s books or painting or puzzles or something else, it’s nice to have the necessary supplies and time to enjoy them, isn’t it?
what i just wrote reminded me of something i read on a blog by a woman who posted a photo of a new start on a completely different cross-stitch project every single day. she did that for a year and in that time said her husband confronted (my word … can’t recall her word) her about having over 365 projects kitted up. she told him not to worry, that it was all part of retirement planning. haha … kudos to her, but for several reasons (space, money, patience) i could not and would not want to deal with that many kits at hand! as much as life allows, i am a “one thing at a time” kind of person.
very dry here … drought-level … and no rain forecast until maybe the middle of next week. leaves are changing colors, oak trees have been dropping acorns for at least six weeks and we see fewer of the small birds around here. while i am ready for rain and cooler temperatures, the changing of seasons clearly show time goes by fast and that is always a little bittersweet for me.
we love birds and have a “bird a day” calendar (by the audubon society) to enjoy each day. a keeper of a calendar for showing all kinds of birds (most i’ve never seen or heard of) and incredible photography … plus i’d like to try painting/sketching them all. i think a parrothead or someone who loves jimmy’s first big hit (“come monday”) must have worked on this calendar because last monday’s bird, for labor day, was a parrot. :( :)
best i get to other things.
happy, safe friday to everyone!
kathy
I sure hope you get some rain soon, Kathy. We were in drought conditions last year at this time!
Stay safe!
I love Jane Casey’s Maeve Kerrigan series. Thanks for the heads up that the latest one has been published – I just put a hold on it at my library.
Oh, good! Enjoy, Di.
Stay safe.
Sorry not to have commented for a while but I think I might need to upgrade my tablet as trying to type messages is becoming increasingly slow. Please pass on my condolences to Don after the loss of someone who meant so much to him.
We’re getting to the time of year when the book publishers release their ‘best works’ in anticipation of the Christmas market. I was sure that the new Richard Osman title would have a yellow cover following on from red, blue and green but no, it’s purple😀
Happy Friday
I hope all is well with you, Dee Dee.
Stay safe.
That’s quite a reading list! I really like being able to order books from the library and have them waiting for me. I never did that before the pandemic. I’ve gotten so I always get the large print if it’s available….just easier to read for me. Libraries are great! We’ve had nothing but dry weather here, but very pleasant temperatures lately! I’m with you, waiting for cool, crisp fall days!
I can’t afford the space or money to keep buying books at this age, so I’m really making use of our library system. I’ve very grateful for it!
Stay safe, Barrie.
Love the large-print edition of books as they are easier to read and you move up the queue faster. I enjoyed hearing about the books you have on hold, many new to me. Yes, the grass is staying nice and green but it does mean more mowing. Don’t overdo. Have a lovely weekend. Hugs, Elaine
I may try the large print for the new Richard Osman!
Stay safe, Elaine.
That’s quite a list of books. I’m starting to compile a list for reading this fall/winter myself. I found out my sister-in-law, who is four yrs younger than me, always gets large print books from the library. Don’t know why but that kind of startled me.
We woke up to temps in the fifties so maybe fall is finally here. Hope your horrible nineties heat goes away soon. And your mowing! Exercise for sure but I imagine after an entire summer of rain-fueled grass-growing you’re ready to call an end to it!!
Take care,
Kay
Yes, even I, who loves to mow, am ready to say goodbye to it. But alas, more rain every day this week, so I think I’m stuck with mowing a bit longer.
Stay safe, Kay.