Saturday, November 22, 2025

The Sunday Salon: The Common Good and Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World Plus The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny





Welcome! I am glad that you are here with us at the Sunday Salon

What is the Sunday Salon? 

The Sunday Salon is a spot for bloggers to link up and share what we have been doing. It offers an opportunity to visit other blogs and participate in the conversations going on there. 







I was away for a couple of days this week, in Austin for my uncle's memorial service, and now that I'm home, I'm busy getting things ready for our trip to Chicago next week. We will be staying with our son and daughter-in-law for Thanksgiving this year, and we are eagerly looking forward to spending the holiday with them.






What I Read Last Week:



by Vivek H. Murthy


The Common Good by Robert Reich


A BookCrossing friend sent along a surprise science fiction gift this week, and since it's not only Nonfiction November, but it's also SciFi Month, I jumped in and read it. It is the winner of both the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award in its day.


Gateway by Frederik Pohl 





What I'm Reading Now:



Startlement: New and Selected Poems by Ada Limón

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai







Week 1 of Nonfiction November 2025...What have you read this year? What did you enjoy the most?

Week 2 of Nonfiction November 2025...What are your favorite nonfiction topics? What might you read this month that would challenge you?

Week 3 of Nonfiction November 2025...Pair up a nonfiction book with a fiction book. 

Week 4 of Nonfiction November 2025...What book have you read that has opened your eyes to a perspective you hadn't considered?

Week 5 of Nonfiction November 2025...This is the last week of Nonfiction November. It's my week to host, and I hope everyone will share nonfiction books you have recently added to your TBR. The link will be live on Monday.





What I Posted Last Week Here at Readerbuzz:







Jenn at Jenn's Bookshelves is hosting the Thankfully Reading Week from November 24 to November 30. Instead of just a weekend, Jenn has made this reading event a full week. The official hashtag we’ll be using is #thankfullyreading. Join in for the weekend or for only a single day. No rules, no pressure! Add your link here.







I plan to participate in the 2025 Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon, hosted by Kimberly at Caffeinated Reviewer. The event will run from Wednesday, November 26 to Wednesday, December 17. Read or listen to as many holiday or winter themed books as you wish. Share your progress using #2025HOHOHORAT. Take part in at least one challenge and read two books to be eligible for the grand prize. Link up here to join in the fun.








I began to list 3 Good Things every day during the pandemic. Now I've established a regular routine of writing down my 3 Good Things. Here are 3 Good Things from last week:




Good Thing #1:

I brought home a lot of books
from my county library book sale last Saturday.



Good Thing #2:

The sunset was gorgeous as 
we drove to the hotel 
after my uncle's memorial service
near Austin.



Good Thing #3:

I was happy to hear Keran Desai
talk about her new book,
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny,
at Inprint in Houston Monday night.




Weekend linkup spots are listed below. Click on the picture to visit the site.

        

I hope you will join the linkup for Sunday Salon below.



39 comments:

  1. Your week in reading and travel looks lovely — and always good to share with your readers at the Sunday Salon. Neat to hear a talk by Kiran Desai.
    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. The last time Kiran Desai came to Houston she was on a book tour for The Inheritance of Loss which one the Booker. Her mother, the author Anita Desai, came with her, and the two talked a lot about writing together. Her mother has also won the Booker.

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  2. I’ve already added the Robert Reich book to my TBR list, but I’ll be adding Around the World in 80 Birds and Gateway to my TBR list. I really enjoyed Frederick Pohl, but only picked up his book at garage sales and second hand stores. Pre-digital. So I know I’ve missed a lot of his books.

    I hate when I typo on my blog entry to the party. 🤦‍♀️

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    1. Gateway is definitely a book of its time, and it is a book with a male main character, the type of character one often finds in old science fiction. The format of the book is one I found made me keep reading on, and the whole idea of a gateway to other words with pre-readied spaceships was compelling to me.

      I can fix that typo.

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    2. Thanks for fixing the typo, Deb! Yeah, I love the old sci-fi in spite of it being so male oriented. It always makes me feel like amazing things are possible.

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  3. Ooh, library book sales are awesome. Looks like quite the haul!

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    1. The sale was held at our county fairgrounds, and I was initially at a loss as to how I was going to get three heavy boxes of books to my car. Fortunately, I was able to borrow a dolly.

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  4. Enjoy your Thanksgiving with your son and his wife. I am sure you will find the time to read a good book, too.

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    1. I am trying to prepare myself for Chicago weather. I have acquired a wool cape but I think I also need a warm cap and a scarf. The photos on your blog of the homeschool folks out on a nature walk in Canada were helpful in planning my wardrobe for the trip.

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  5. Two beautiful covers on the books you read last week. Have a great time in Chicago.

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  6. Have a wonderful and safe trip to Chicago. That will be lovely, being with family. Happy week!

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  7. I’m sorry for your family’s loss. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family. Have a great week!

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  8. I'm sorry for your loss. Yay for new books. I am signed up for the 2025 Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon, thanks for the reminder it starts this week. Have a great Thanksgiving!

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  9. I'll be curious to hear what you think of Sonia and Sunny. Very exciting to hear the author talk! Sorry to hear about your uncle. I've been MIA most of the month and just decided to post the first Nonfiction November prompt. Can't wait to read all the posts. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  10. Dear Deb, I am so sorry for your loss! I love the photos and illustrations. I would like to wish you a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving for your loved ones!

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  11. Sorry that you lost your uncle, but I'm glad that you could be there for the funeral. I hope the Chicago trip is fun and healing.

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  12. I used to love to go to our library book sale in Nebraska. It was HUGE! I probably still have some books on my shelves from those sales. Lol!

    I'm sorry that you lost an uncle, but am glad you were able to attend his memorial. It's always good to be surrounded by loved ones. Hope you have a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving with your family in Chicago. I'm thankful we don't have to fly anywhere this year! Safe travels. P.S. I shipped the book off to you today. It will probably arrive after you return home.

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  13. Enjoy Chicago with your family. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  14. I'm sorry for the loss of your uncle. My uncle passed in October and I had another uncle who passed not long before that. Enjoy Thanksgiving with your family. Sounds like it will be wonderful. :)

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  15. Chicago!!! I'll bet it will be magical all decorated for Christmas!!! If you can, please do the Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon. It's some kind of ice skating TRACK, not a rink. Looks really cool!!! If you don't know how to ice skate, that's ok they have a thingy that you can push in front of you so you don't fall.

    " it is a quarter mile of ice that meanders through the Alpine trees and mountains (AKA the climbing wall). You will think you are a million miles away from the city until you look to the west to see the most magnificent skyline in the world. "

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  16. I know you will enjoy your Thanksgiving with family! I've put Reich's book on hold until after the holidays. Thank you for sharing! I also decided to join the Thankfully Reading event. You certainly did bring home a lot of books! The Saint Francis of Assisi looks interesting!

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  17. I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you have a great trip to Chicago and Happy Thanksgiving!

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  18. I am sorry to hear about your uncle! Being with family over Thanksgiving will surely be a way to help with the healing. I hope you have a wonderful time!

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  19. I hope the memorial service was beautiful. Excited you are coming north for Thanksgiving, it may be rainy but in the 40 and 50s. Time with family for the holidays are the best and brightest. Sadly Mr. Dollycas has to work on Thanksgiving. Have fun!!

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  20. Sorry to hear about your uncle passing! I hope you enjoy your time in Chicago with your son and DIL! Safe travels, Deb! :)

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  21. I think the Sonia and Sunny book is in the running for a Goodreads award this year too? Always love reading about your adventures :) Sorry about your uncle :( Have a great time in Chicago!

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  22. My condolences on your loss Deb.
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving in Chicago.

    Wishing you a happy reading week

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  23. Enjoy Thanksgiving with your son and daughter in law! I am also participating in HOHOHORAT :)

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  24. Sorry for your loss.travel safe @theglobaldig.blogspot.com

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  25. Hearing Keran Desai speak must have been awesome. I hope to get to her novel too. I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and trip to Chicago. Sounds fun. Cheers.

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  26. Please accept my condolences for the loss of your uncle.

    You've kept so busy, I'm glad you are getting time at the holiday with family.

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  27. I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your uncle. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and thanks for participating in Thankfully Reading Week!

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  28. You've been busy, Deb. Wishing you safe travels this week.

    https://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2025/11/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-and_0986272846.html

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  29. I am so sorry Deb.

    I also wanted to thank you for the Christmas card! I love getting happy mail!

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  30. I hope your trip to Chicago goes well. We're expecting some unfortunate weather. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  31. Sorry for your loss.
    You read just an amazing variety of books.. I'm in awe.

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  32. Condolences on the death of your uncle - what a fabulous sunset as you were returning from his memorial service. And Frederick Pohl is definitely of his time - but an interesting and accomplished author. I don't recall reading Gateway, though. I hope Thanksgiving is a great holiday and that you have a wonderful week with the family.

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