Over the past 5 months, I haven't managed to squeeze blogging into my week. I have certainly been reading with gusto, though.
I've really been enjoying this winter--it's been wonderful for hiking with snowshoes and also on snowmobile trails. I loved how cold it has been--a real winter. I hate to see it rush by.
My reading path for 2021 was to indulge in recently published books. I have been continuing to do the same this year for the most part. One difference this year, and a big change for me, is that I am borrowing almost all books from the library.
My favorite book this year was Nancy Thayer's An Act of Love, a republished book of hers from 1998. It was a superb novel about a step-family of four--two adults, two teen-aged children--the adults living with their child from a previous marriage. I believe that this novel is now my favorite of Thayer's. It was flawlessly executed--pitch-perfect. I am so in awe of her grasp of her material. I listened to it in audio, and the production was so well done. I believe I've mentioned before that I much prefer Thayer's novels from the 1990s when compared with her more recent novels--the earlier books have so much more depth, deeper characterizations as well. I feel her more recent books just skim the surface of family relationships and emotional issues.
Captivating reads from books published this year include Vladimir by Julia May Jonas, The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis (set in the Frick Collection in NYC), Silverview by John Le Carre. Another notable is Last September by Nina de Gramont (set in Massachusetts, in Amherst and Cape Cod). De Gramont has a new book out, The Christie Affair, which I've decided to skip. I really liked The Mysterious Mrs. Christie, which came out early last year, but one fictionalized version of Agatha Christie's 11-day disappearance is more than enough for me.
Hi Judith, so nice to see you post and glad that you are ending winter weather and still reading as well. I'm a Nancy Thayer fan so I'll need to check out: An Act of Love. Vladimir was a DNF for me, I got so sick of that pathetic 58 y/old female, I just couldn't take it anymore LOL - Last September is on my TBR list...hope it's a good one.
ReplyDeleteJudith, I was so happy to see a post from you pop up in my feed! Have been wondering how things are going for you. Glad you're enjoying the real winter weather and reading, too. I haven't read any of the books you mentioned, but my daughter got a copy of The Magnolia Place for her birthday. We both love The Frick and I've already asked to borrow it when she is finished.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update and I hope we hear from you again soon!
It is good to hear from you. I am glad you are enjoying your winter.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading books for the Japanese Literature Challenge for January - March. Some good ones. Convenience Store Woman and Strange Weather in Tokyo. Also Before the Coffee Gets Cold, a nice magical realism time travel book. All fairly recent.
Surprising to me, a lot of the books I have read this year have been fairly recent, not new but not old. Published after 2000, some much more recent. Olive Kitteridge was dark but I liked it a lot. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.
And I finally finished the nonfiction book I started last year:
Carry Me Home: Birmingham, Alabama: The Climactic Battle of the Civil Rights Revolution
I will be reading some books by Irish authors for Read Ireland in March, a couple of mysteries probably. And in March and April I will get back to some vintage mysteries for The 1954 Club.
It's great to see you back Judith and I'm so glad you've been enjoying your winter. I haven't read any of the books that you've been getting stuck into recently.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back and glad to hear you have been reading with gusto. I have got to read some Le Carre one of these days!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you enjoyed your winter--personally, I am longing for spring as it has been so cold in CO recently, but the snows have been so pretty lately.
An Act of Love sounds wonderful. I checked out the description and it's a great premise. It also makes me wonder what the act of love is, because it seems like a situation in which the parents' love would tear them in different directions. Glad you've been enjoying the winter and doing some good reading!
ReplyDeleteI just finished An Act of Love - thank you for the recommendation. Although I found it dated in some ways, I could not stop reading and I pitied the parents, stuck in a situation with no solution.
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