In the High Peaks
















Friday, July 30, 2021

How Are You Coping These Days?

 Just thought I'd ask the question, because at mid-summer, we're reeling from the reality of the Delta variant. Indoor dining is out for us now. And crowded outdoor dining is out, too. Masks on at all times out there. So overwhelmingly disappointing.

I hope you have good reading to keep you company. I've been so quiet lately because of an intensive online writing course I've taken this summer. I've had zero time to read many books. But I've so enjoyed the class! And I loved the feeling of digging my teeth into something BIG, with other writers for company. Such a solace!

New books: Do you recall that I said I was going to concentrate on new (2021) books this summer? I've been doing that. I will tell you that The Disappearing Act by Catherine Steadman was very disappointing and barely reached high enough to be deemed MEDIOCRE. Her first two books were much better than this one.

A much better report about The Maidens by Alex Michaelides. I'm two-thirds of the way through and as a thriller, it has held my interest. 

Next up: Lionel Shriver's Should We Stay or Should We Go? about a British couple, a GP and a former nurse, who decide that as they are 50-60 years old, they will kill themselves when they turn 80 years old, to avoid dementia and decrepitude. Ah! But how the years change them! I've started this one, and it's a very intriguing premise, that's for sure. 

I also have The Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi in the house. I read her first novel Homecoming and loved it. This one sounds very different, but equally interesting. 

I have loads more new books on hold, but our library has had a problem. They have reported that Baker & Taylor, who supplies most libraries with new books, has been up to two months late delivering books. The librarians are told, "It's because of Covid." Have you seen delays on your new books library holds??