We had a few sunny, 60-70 degree days a week ago or more. I think. Today, like other days lately, it has been cold, barely hitting 42 degrees, a bit of snow in the mornings, and DARK. I think I have a sunlight deficiency. In fact I know I do. We are not scheduled to have sun for quite a few days. We need at least one leaf somewhere to make an appearance. Not yet.
The migratory birds are held back, because of the cold and the north winds, which makes me mopey.
I have had a lot of business-type stuff to do, and I've been making good headway with The House of Mirth, by Edith Wharton, which is very, very interesting, but I see dark clouds on the horizon there, too.
I finished Jane and Prudence, early Sunday morning, and I thought it was exceptionally well done, but it is not my favorite. Excellent Women is my Pym favorite thus far, though I did find Quartet in Autumn to be quite amusing.
I've latched on to The House by the Fjord by Rosalind Laker. This novel was written by an English writer who is married to a Norwegian. It's set in 1946, the year after World War II ended, and is the story of a young English "war bride" who married a Norwegian pilot who flew for the RAF in WWII, but who died at the very end of the war.
A year after his death, she travels to Norway to become acquainted with her husband's homeland, and eventually, she meets his family and receives a house "by a fjord" as her husband's inheritance. Will she stay in Norway and accept the house? That's where I am now. A brutal winter, the winter of 1946-47 is on its way.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
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Sorry that you are not in the best mood. Here on Long Island the weather has been nice but sadly I have been stuck inside at work most of the time. House of Mirth is not the best for lifting one’s mood. Nevertheless, I hope that your weather gets better and things look up for you.
ReplyDeleteBrian,
DeleteI am sorry that you have to be cooped up indoors all the time in nice weather. I hope you get a break soon.
It seems we're stuck with this weather for a while. I have been busy, so that helps.
In answer to your question - I recently reread The Shell Seekers, and I couldn't believe how wonderful it was. Much better than I remembered it, but I put that down to the fact that I am older, and better understand. I just started September, and if possible, the descriptions are even better. Perhaps one of those might suit??
ReplyDeleteHi Nan,
DeleteRosamunde Pilcher's Winter Solstice is a book I have loved twice, each time read in December. I have always intended to read The Shell Seekers, and I tried to get it today, but it was out. Maybe other people needing a Pilcher shot in the arm? Will put it on my list. Thank you for such a good suggestion.
I've been wanting to reread Shell Seekers myself. I like Pilcher.
DeleteJane,
DeleteIt's very good to hear that you're interested in rereading The Shell Seekers. That's as good a recommendation as any. When I wrote a blog post about my re-read of Winter Solstice a while back, a reader responded that they reread this novel every December. Dark days then as well.
You need a fun book that will make you smile. Have you considered a NF like David Sedaris, Calypso or Trevor Noah's Born a Crime. - definite mood lifters.
ReplyDeleteDiane,
DeleteYou're so right! I haven't read David Sedaris for a very long time. Will have to look him up again. Thank you so much for the suggestions!
I feel your pain--we had lovely spring weather in Colorado last week, and then winter decided to come back, with snow, wind, cold for May temps, and I am not happy about it!
ReplyDeleteI find when the dark clouds gather that rereading works best for me. A little Austen or Georgette Heyer or Mary Stewart or Laura Ingalls Wilder or a visit to PEI and Anne. Wharton is not good for dark moods, I find.
Hi Jane,
DeleteRe-reading favorites, especially the soothing kind, sounds wonderful to me right now, and perhaps favorites from earlier times, including childhood. Excellent.
So in Colorado is experiencing this, too. Well, I hope that your weather improves very, very soon.
And I have found I need to temporarily set aside The House of Mirth for just a few days. I've been enjoying it, but I've noticed a reluctance in me after more than a week of dark days.
It's funny--my pansies and violas are loving this weather. That brings me joy in a way, to think of such bright flowers loving the moist drizmals!
I know how you feel about the weather. I feel the same here in Ohio. Dying for sunny and warmer days so I can plant zinnias.
ReplyDeleteHi Harvee,
DeleteI have loved growing zinnias. And do they ever love sunny, fairly dry weather in summer. Such a cheerful flower! And I didn't know that Ohio has been suffering from this dark, damp weather. Best wishes to you!
We seem to have made the right decision in spending May in Florida! I've been receiving almost daily phone calls complaining about the weather in NY.
ReplyDeleteHouse of Mirth is rather dark, so you may want to save that for when the sun finally shine. Jane and Prudence is not my favorite Pym either, but still an enjoyable read. I'll echo Diane's suggestion of David Sedaris... especially on audio. You should probably stay away from The Mueller Report for the time being! ;-)
Even though the sun has not made an appearance yet--can you believe it? I think I will continue to read The House of Mirth tomorrow--I don't want to lose the thread, but I won't overdo it either. And David Sedaris, yes!
DeleteIt sounds like your reading is going well, even if you were in a dreadful mood. I hope things have improved in some way or another. I have no suggestions for a book to help with a mood. I am now reading On the Beach and I like it a lot (almost done with it). But definitely not a cheerful book. Thought-provoking but sad.
ReplyDeleteTracy,
DeleteI'm glad you've liked On the Beach. It's always been such a compelling read for me. It is very sad, but the relationships in the book are life-affirming, which helps, in a way.
I agree, it is life-affirming, and I prefer the approach the characters had (continuing on with their lives for the most part) rather than giving up. I really did not find the end as sad as I expected (and had heard).
DeleteHi Tracy,
DeleteYes, that to me is so fascinating how Nevil Shute managed the entire novel so that it wasn't shattering. I think, in a way, maybe because the characters had some time before the end came. Time to connect with each other. It is the very same in the movie, and is well worth watching if you can get a hold of it.
Oh no, The House of Mirth is certainly not uplifting. If you want funny, anything by Jerome K. Jerome but especially Three Men in a Boat. Also The Diary of a Nobody is sure to make you chuckle. I hope things look brighter soon! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Cleo!
ReplyDeleteI am writing these titles down! The Diary of a Nobody...I think I have heard of this, but have never read it. Thanks so much for the suggestions!!