Last week I finished nothing except two picture books, and I was reading ten books. But this week...
I finished seven books last week, half of the books I was reading last week plus two more. I've listed these in the order in which I enjoyed them, with the most enjoyed at the top of the list. I loved the snarky voice of the author in Elizabeth and Her German Garden. You'd never guess this book was first published in 1899. The Council of Animals is for anyone with any interest in climate change or if you just enjoy a little fable. The animals meet to decide if they should kill off the remaining perpetrators of an apocalypse on Earth, the humans. I'm always on the lookout for books about happiness, and Chatter, Happy Habits, and The Comfort Book all offered lots of great ideas, some of which I've already put into play. Consider the Oyster is by the great food writer M.F.K. Fisher. Need I say more? I expected too much of Fox & I, I'm afraid. There's no doubt that author Raven is brilliant and a fabulous writer, but the story read like the author wrote down anything that came into her head, and I'm not sure I really wanted to know every single thing that popped into her mind. Maybe it's just me.
If you want to read my complete review, click on the link.
Elizabeth and Her German Garden by Elizabeth von Arnim ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It by Ethan Kross ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Council of Animals by Nick McDonnell ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Consider the Oyster by M.F.K. Fisher ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fox & I: An Uncommon Friendship by Catherine Raven ⭐⭐⭐
Ten Stories by Katherine Mansfield (Short stories)
A World on the Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds by Scott Wiedensaul (Birds)
The Art of Eating by M.F.K. Fisher (Food Nonfiction)
Thunder and Lightning: Cracking Open the Writer's Craft by Natalie Goldberg (Writing)
Eager to Love: The Alternate Way of Francis of Assisi by Richard Rohr (Spiritual Nonfiction)
It's time to apply to be a Cybils judge! The Cybils Awards recognizes books written for children and young adults that combine both the highest literary merit and popular appeal. As one of the two original founders put it, between the brussels sprouts of literary merit and the gummy bears of popularity contests, we are the organic chicken nuggets--both yummy and nutritious! If you love children's and YA books, please apply to be a Cybils judge here.
The 2021-2022 Inprint Margret Root Brown Reading Series opens on August 30 with a reading from poet Rita Dove. Who else will be speaking this year? Lauren Groff. Ruth Ozeki. Anthony Doerr. Jonathan Franzen. Wole Soyinka. Honorée Fanonne Jeffers and Tiphanie Yanique. Olga Tokarczok. Yusef Komunyakaa and Carl Phillips. Hernan Diaz. All but two of the ten author readings will be held virtually. Tickets are only $5, or you can really support reading and writing and buy a season's subscription for $225. Included in the subscription are four books. For more information, take a look here.
It's been a while since I updated my challenges. I need to read three more books for the Back to the Classics Challenge and two more books for the Nonfiction Reader Challenge.
Good Thing #1
I've rejoined the YMCA.
Now, will I feel comfortable enough to attend an indoor class?
Not sure.
Good Thing #2
I've decided to write a book in November
during NaNoWriMo.
What am I going to write?
I've got an idea...
Good Thing #3
Two of my most at-risk friends
have gotten a booster shot for the vaccine.
I'm happy you joined us here at the Sunday Salon. Sunday Salon is a place to link up and to share what we have been doing during the week. It's a great way to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there.
Some of the things we often talk about at the Sunday Salon:
- What was your week like?
- Read any good books? Tell us about them.
- What other bookish things did you do?
- What else is going on in your life?
Other places where you may like to link up over the weekend are below. Click on the picture to visit the site.
My linkup for Sunday Salon is below.
So exciting, Deb! I can't wait to hear more about your writing journey!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terry. One of the goals I had after I retired was to write a book. What better time than this November?
Delete:) I have trouble writing book reviews and can't imagine writing a novel, but I've had friends that have done NaNaWriMo and loved the process!
ReplyDeleteI think I will, too.
DeleteDeb, I'm half finished with The Council on Animals as well. I started the audio but didn't care for the author's narration so I switched to the eBook...very different and rather short too.
ReplyDeleteGlad your YMCA is reopened and, wow, big wow for your writing project next month - quite a challenge.
I will be curious as to what you think of Council of Animals, Diane.
DeleteLooks like you had a great week with finishing several books. That always feels so good 🙂.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your thoughts on Fox & I. It sounded interesting to me, but with my extensive TBR I think I will skip it.
I look forward to hearing how your NaNoWriMo experience goes!
Have a wonderful weekend!
I think I would have skipped Fox & I if I had read a review of it before I read the book.
DeleteWith all the posts I have to read I have no time left for books ! But I think I have read enough from when I started to learn reading until I started blogging so it must be over 70 years ! I love to read.
ReplyDeleteReading posts can be just as charming an experience as reading books.
DeleteYou're doing so well with those challenges. How do you manage to juggle all of them and still manage to read books you fancy on spur of the moment? I do like what I call reading projects rather than challenges but it's so hard to stop being distracted by other things
ReplyDeleteI think I need to post a picture soon of my book schedule!
DeleteI enjoy a good "snarky voice", though unfortunately Elizabeth and Her German Garden is not available in our library system. Go forth with the book writing!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth and Her German Garden should be available free online. It was first published in 1899, so the copyright has expired.
DeleteInprint has some great writers scheduled. Sign me up!
ReplyDeleteI hope you will, Dorothy. Maybe we can meet up at a reading one of these days.
DeleteAfter you mentioned it last week, I added Elizabeth and her German Garden to my list. It's very cheap on kindle (or was last week). I know some people have done remarkable things in NaNoWriMo. I guess Erin Morganstern is the most famous success, though her book was revised a lot after the initial November.
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I will be curious what you think about Elizabeth and Her German Garden, Mae.
Delete7 books in a week is really good.
ReplyDeleteI start a lot of books sometimes and some weeks I finish only one, so I guess it evens out.
DeleteI don't read a quarter of the books that you read and then review- You are really inspiring and good luck meeting your challenges. I always wanted to publish a cookbook and last November I finally accomplished my goal and published a plant-based cookbook! It felt really good! I wish you luck on reaching your challenges..
ReplyDeleteWow! Good for you, Judee!
DeleteYou had a great reading week. You are doing so well with your challenges, congrats! I hope you have a great week.
ReplyDeleteI hope I'm able to finish the last few books for nonfiction and classics. They are all huge books.
DeleteI am glad your at-risk friends have received their boosters; that must be a relief for them.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am intrigued about your book writing and can't wait to hear all about it.
I am relieved for them, too.
DeleteCan't wait to hear how you go with writing your book!
ReplyDeleteMy problem would be to come up with an idea!
I've got several ideas, so we'll see how it plays out. I think I'll just start writing and see what happens.
DeleteIs the Fox and I so bad I should take it off my reading list? I am curious about what you will write about.
ReplyDeleteI think you should at least give it a try, Anne. I liked it, but I did feel like the author went on and on about nothing for much of the time.
DeleteGood luck with NaNo! I'm always tempted to try it, but I don't have any ideas. :(
ReplyDeleteI think you should just come up with a random idea and run with it, Aj.
DeleteI am so glad your friends were able to get their boosters!!
ReplyDeleteMe, too. One has had a kidney transplant and works with young children.
DeleteI think I mentioned a while back that I signed the paperwork to visit the YMCA in Anchorage. I haven't been back since then. I just can't work up my nerve.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if my aunt has actually gotten her booster yet but her doctor called to tell her she's eligible. She was relieved. I'm glad your friends got their boosters!
NaNoWriMo! Awesome! Good luck! I always think about it and draw a big blank when I try to think of actual ideas. I applaud you for deciding to participate!
Enjoy your week!
I didn't show up last week for my class at the Y, but I went ahead and signed up for a class tomorrow. We'll see if I show up this time.
DeleteI wish you every success in your NaNoWriMo - can't wait to hear how it goes! Enjoy your books whether it's two or ten that you read!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed almost everything I read last week.
DeleteElizabeth and Her German Garden was mentioned in an episode of Downton Abbey. I enjoyed Council of Animals too. I have Fox & I in my reading pile. Good luck with NaNoWriMo.
ReplyDeleteI'll be curious to know what you think about Fox & I.
DeleteI applied to be a judge :) Hoe exciting for NaNoWriMo. I've done it twice over the years and found it worth the time and struggle. I'm going to have to add a few of your books to my list.
ReplyDeleteHurray, Stacy!
DeleteI would be comfortable attending a class here as 80% have been fully vaccinated, social distancing is enforced.
ReplyDeleteGolly, I would be comfortable there, too.
DeleteP.S. I just started watching Downton Abbey and heard Elizabeth and her German Garden mentioned too!
ReplyDeleteFunny!
DeleteCouncil of Animals sounds great. there seems to be a lot of good books on climate change now and movies.
ReplyDeleteI agree,Trin.
DeleteOh, enjoy the NaNoWriMo Challenge! I did it in 2010...and actually published that book in 2014.
ReplyDeleteI love your mug that "honors" your blog.
Enjoy the Cybils...and your week.
Wow. Good for you, Laurel!
DeleteIt must be so exciting to have an idea for a book and getting to write it. I could never do that, I would probably plagerize things I have already read without knowing it, lol.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
I may be doing that and not even know it, Lori.
DeleteSeveral of the books you finished last week are on my wish list and I'm happy to see you enjoyed them. A couple of my friends got their third shot this week, too... what a relief. I'm not sure when I'll feel comfortable going back to the rec center in Florida. Things are awful there now. Hoping it will be different bey the time we head back. Have a good week, Deb.
ReplyDeleteThings are grim here in Texas, too. Our crazy leadership!
DeleteHi there Debbie! The Council of Animals immediately caught my eye and I will see if I can get it.
ReplyDeleteDebbie is going to write a book! Oh yes yes yes!! Please may I review it? Elza asks if you will please put a fluffy white kitten in there somewhere. Even a ghost appearance will be good.
Have a good week dear Debbie!
Elza Reads
Tell Elza I will try my best to put a fluffy white kitten in there somewhere.
DeleteI'll be interested to know what your topic is for your writing in November!
ReplyDeleteThe Art of Eating is a wonderful book. Love yuor list.
The Art of Eating is fabulous.
DeleteSeems like you had a great week of reading, and you are doing so well with your challenges.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to hearing more about your NaNoWriMo project.
Wishing you a great reading week
I think I need to start doing some NaNoWriMo prep.
DeleteI'm glad your friends have gotten the booster especially if they're high risk. It's still so scary out there with the variant... or variants, I should say. And good luck in November!
ReplyDeleteIt is scary out there---especially if you have cancer or have had a kidney transplant.
DeleteI loved Enchanted April by von Arnim and really must get to Elizabeth and Her German Garden. Your recommendation is just one of many that I have read over the past 10-15 years in the blogosphere.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do write (or at least start) a novel in November. I follow a Youtuber who participates in NaNoWriMo every year and it looks like it is a very rewarding experience.
I think it will be a great experience to write in November.
DeleteGood luck with NaNoWriMo! And good luck with the YMCA! I need to reread Elizabeth and Her German Garden. I read it years ago but don't think I was in the right frame of mind. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteIt took me a while to get into Elizabeth and Her German Garden.
DeleteGood luck with the writing! That's exciting! And looks like you're doing amazing with your challenges!
ReplyDeleteMy challenges are coming together.
DeleteThe Inprint author / reading series sounds good to me. I will check out some of these. I'm still on the fence about going to a gym too .... but maybe swimming laps but might be all right?? who knows.
ReplyDeleteI've signed up now to go to two classes, but I've skipped out both times.
DeleteI am always curious about people who can be reading more than one book at a time. I've upped my rate to two - one print (usually Kindle) and one audiobook - but it isn't likely I'd be able to keep track of more. Good luck with your writing come November. I've always said that I'm a consumer, not a producer when asked if I ever thought of writing a book. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI've always said I'm a reader, not a writer, but why not give it a whirl?!
DeleteI love that you are going to write in November! Great goal!
ReplyDeleteAnd The Comfort Book sounds really good. I like comfort. Lol. Did he write a book about Hygge? That name is so familiar.
And I hear you about going inside again. I still always wear my mask, but now I am back to less indoor shopping. :(
Matt Haig writes lots of YA books. The last novel I read of his was The Midnight Library.
DeleteAlways love the things you are grateful for Deb. It is amazing that the 1899 book was good. I did read one book by her and it was worth reading.
ReplyDeleteMost of the best books I've ever read are timeless.
DeleteI wish I could read MFK Fisher for the first time again. :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have known her. What a writer.
DeleteMy week (Sun.-Thurs) was filled with doctor's visits and tests. BOOOO. Today I am waiting again b/c I don't like two of my three new doctors and am going to get a second opinion. The soonest the specialist can see me is Sept.24th. In the meantime, I'm going to pray for healing and go on living my life.
ReplyDeleteI hate it that you have had so many health issues, Rae.
Delete