But! While I still HAVE a viable old platform, I will announce that two new books arrived in the mail today.
First of all is Monogamy: A Novel by Sue Miller, which was published in early September. I have loved all of Sue Miller's novels. While I Was Gone was probably one of her most well-known novels, and I loved and admired it. So much depth! I will have to dig back to name the other novel she wrote since that title that I also liked very much. I also loved her novel The Senator's Wife, which was also top-notch. I listened to that as an audio, and I simply loved it, but at that time I was not as finely tuned a listener, so I don't remember it well.
The other novel that arrived, and which I'm looking forward to reading, is The Darkest Evening by Ann Cleeves (the latest Vera Stanhope mystery). Think murder mystery. Think BLIZZARD. Think Northumberland, northernmost England. Think perfect for me. This has had excellent reviews, not to mention several starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. Can't wait to read it.
Both new books look great.
ReplyDeleteI am using the new version of blogger on my MAC but hate it. I can't blog on iPad as pictures won't post for some reason. Just so frustrating I bought a new iPad last month in preparation for new blogger...UGH
Hi Diane,
DeleteIt's beyond terribly frustrating. I can't imagine how these people believe they're creating something better! Utter nonsense! It's so BAD. I just hope we can find a platform somewhere so we can keep blogging together. It would be horrible to lose this.
Every time I go to my Blogger Reading List it's in the new format so I revert to the old one straight away. I've no idea how long it will be available but I'm clinging to it with all my might. I think what I need to do 'soon' is investigate Wordpress and possibly start a new blog there and run them in tandem so that when the old Blogger interface has gone I have somewhere I can go because I hate, hate, hate the new one. Sorry to sound so melodramatic but it would be hard to overstate how annoyed I am about this whole fiasco.
ReplyDelete*Breathe*
Thanks goodness for new books! I keep buying (perhaps I should do a post) and they keep me cheerful. Are you seeing any of the smoke from the west coast fires? I read that it had floated over the whole continent, which I find 'astonishing'.
Hi Cath,
DeleteIndeed we are seeing the smoke from the West Coast fires! We have had several days with no clouds, so a cloudless sky, but we have no blue sky--it's an off-white/yellowish. Strange! Very peculiar looking. And upsetting, really. We're seeing this because there is a straight westerly wind flow this week. Lots of times our fair weather winds come down from Canada, because we've had a southwesterly wind flow. One news report said that the smoke is in the stratosphere. Really and truly, only huge volcanic eruptions send their debris and smoke into the stratosphere, so I must say I'm not sure about the smoke being that far up. And IF they were, the westerlies wouldn't be a factor.
Anyway, I can't imagine the immensity of these wildfires. What with Covid-19, Trump and his climate change denial and his fallacious charges that poor forest management is the cause of these fires, Far Westerners are going through utter HELL. Feel so badly about it.
Oh! New books on your doorstep, you say?? Do reveal all, Cath!! And keep buying and revealing! I enjoy it.
Wishing you the very best, Cath!
And Blogger--It's hard to imagine that any user is liking the new platform. You took a wise step--certainly might help to become familiar with WordPress. And I understand completely how crazy-making this Blogger business is. After all, THIS is how we stay connected in these terribly troubled times.
Oops, Cath. I should edit my reply before I SEND. Yes, lots of times when we have incredibly fair weather, our winds come down from Canada (northwesterlies). But this week we've had loads of winds coming in from the southwest.
DeleteThanks for explaining your prevailing winds and so forth. (Ours are from the SW.) I even read somewhere that the smoke had reached The Netherlands. Surely not!
DeleteWell, the old interface has been taken from me so I no longer have the change back option. Do you still have that option? I will try another post with it next week but if I struggle to get it to do what I want I'm not sure what to do. Haven't had time to start a Wordpress one. In all honesty I feel upset enough to abandon blogging and just use Goodreads. I can't believe this has been taken from us. And it feels like older people have been sacrificed for youngsters and their phones. I'm trying to think of somewhere else we can go but coming up with nothing. You can create groups on Facebook but not everyone is on that *and* they've brought in a new style. It's not been inflicted on me yet but a close blogging friend has left FB because she can't use it. Same old, same old. Will they never leave things alone!
Yes, Cath, I've lost the old Blogger, too. I understand how you feel, but I do fervently hope that you won't give up your blog. I would miss you and it terribly!!
DeleteMaybe we can support each other during this time of forced transition? I figure there must be a way forward, because I would miss book blogging too much. And it's really the people I'd miss the most. So sad and terrible to imagine losing you.
I have enjoyed the three Vera Stanhope mysteries that I read, but I am reading the series in order, so it will be a long time before I get to The Darkest Evening. A book with a blizzard does sound very good. I am sure you will enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy,
DeleteAnn Cleeves, on her website, maintains that her novels can be read as singles, so I went for that because I LOVE and adore blizzard settings. I am an utter fanatic when it comes to that. Just can't help it!
And I'm so glad, Tracy, that you've enjoyed the Stanhope mysteries you've read. I read the very first years and years ago. I liked it, but it was dark, which made me think I needed a bit of time before reading another.
I can't imagine what you must be going through with the smoke from the wildfires. Do you feel more comfortable staying indoors? I'm so sorry for what California and the West is going through
Judith, thanks for the concern. The air quality today is actually better than it has been in over a week, in the moderate zone according to a site I check. Yesterday, however, was the worst I had seen it, and possibly I still have a hangover from that because I feel worse today, not better. Our skies today are fairly clear. But as far as I know the fire situation in California is not any better. I don't watch the news on TV, so don't get those kind of updates.
DeleteTracy,
DeleteI would think, yes, absolutely you would be feeling the effects a day later from the worst day yet. Not only that, I think that smoke in the air (and any air pollution) has a cumulative effect on the body. It's not one day, it's the effect of numerous days of bad air, smoke in the air, hazardous air quality, whatever to call it. I hope you have a way to stay safe indoors with your books. What you're going through out there is terribly worrying, and should be to everyone.
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ReplyDeleteThe new blogger is driving me crazy... so many formatting issues! It doesn't make it any easier to keep my blog going, that's for sure. I'm also looking forward to reading Monogamy... have enjoyed many of Miller's novels. We're still in CT, but plan to visit my parents in CNY this week before starting our journey south. Take care, Judith.
ReplyDeleteHi JoAnn!
DeleteSo happy to hear from you.
I wish there were a way forward with Book Blogging, if Blogger proves impossible. There must be something we can do. Perhaps if Blogger is just too UGLY, then a different platform, maybe WordPress.
And a Support Network for those of us trying to make the switch!!
I'm struggling with the new Blogger, too. The Darkest Evening I've read and enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed The Darkest Evening. And I'm grateful that you are commiserating with all of us struggling with darling Blogger. I wish they would WISE UP!
DeleteI see there is a new Elly Griffiths coming about Harbinder Kaur, the detective from The Stranger Diaries. I wondered if that was her intention all along or if she initially planned it to be a standalone.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm not sure. But it's on my list, that's for sure!! I can't wait, really.
DeleteLove the cover of The Darkest Evening - it totally hooked me. Hope it's good...I'll be checking back.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten used to the new Blogger user interface, but it does seem like going backwards to me. Thankfully, my blogging needs are simple so I haven't had too much trouble.
Hi Jane,
DeleteI enjoyed the cover as well. And I so appreciated having a hardcover novel to turn to! I've been reading so many ebooks this year, but I loved the tactile experience of reading two hardcovers.
The Darkest Evening is fantastic. Ken has loved it, too!