Hildene, Manchester, Vermont
This past week we got to enjoy the beauty of Vermont. We stayed in Manchester, such a quaint town with lots to do and explore. We toured Hildene, the Lincoln Family home, saw a few covered bridges along the way, hit several shops, an Indie bookstore, great restaurants and The Vermont Country Store (a real blast from the past). Driving to Vermont is stress free too with very little highway traffic and well paved backroads. The foliage still has a way to go but, the Green Mountain State should be peak by the end of the month. Hope to return to VT, perhaps a different town, one more time before ski season.
Lunch with friends, yoga and the new Jennifer Lawrence movie rounded out the rest of my week. Have you seen the previews for the movie, "Mother?" OMG
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer
Overview: A couple's relationship is tested after uninvited guests show up and stay with them.
Opinion: The first hour of this movie was strange but wasn't bad. However, the longer we sat there, the more ridiculous the movie became. Definitely a movie that might appeal to fans of "experimental film", but we really disliked it ---pass
Books Read
I finished (2) books this week, one was an audiobook that we enjoyed on our drive to and from Vermont - that one, The Old Man, Thomas Perry, was a big hit.
The Old Man; Thomas Perry -
Mysterious Press & Highbridge Audio - 2017
Dan Chase (AKA Michael Koehler) was once an Army Intelligence Officer. Some 30 years earlier he was supposed to deliver some 20 million dollars to Faris Hamza, an agent for rebel fighters, but things didn't go down exactly as planned. Now, Chase, a retiree in a sleepy Vermont town, with a grown daughter and two huge dogs is a wanted man and suddenly on the run.
This audio book, narrated by Peter Berkrot was an excellent choice for our recent road trip, we both enjoyed it. The story held our interest and there was plenty of action. The ending might have been a bit too neat but, so glad we listened to this one. This author was new to us both. 4/5 stars
Death of a Busybody; George Bellairs
Poison Pen Press - 2017
Originally published in 1942, reprinted in 2017 by the Poison Pen Press as part of their British Library Crime Classics.
The 'busybody" who ends up dead, her body found in the cesspool of Reverend Claplady, was Miss Ethel Tither. Miss Tither was a woman with more than a few enemies in the village of Hilary Magna. She was a woman who couldn't resist sticking her nose in the "affairs" of others, always trying to reform the sinners of the town. Inspector Thomas Littlejohn from Scotland Yard is called in and as he soon finds out, there is no shortage of possible suspects.
Humorous, witty prose, town gossip, a cozy town made for a good old fashioned mystery. I enjoyed the way this story unfolded, a well-scripted investigation. 4/5 stars
Currently Reading
The Deep Dark Descending; Allen Eskens
Seventh Street Books - 2017
The Almost Sisters; Joshilyn Jackson
William Morrow & Blackstone Audio - 2017
Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.
Vermont sounds lovely! That movie doesn't sound like something I'd like at all. I need to pick up The Almost Sisters soon.
ReplyDeleteThe best things about Vermont are great roads, very little traffic, green mountains everywhere, and just a slower pace of life.
DeleteYour stay in Vermont sounds wonderful, Diane. I am glad you were able to get away. I loved driving the highways in Pennsylvania when I was there in July. So different from the traffic here. I haven't heard too much about the movie, Mother, but it sounds like I'd be fine not seeing it. Doesn't sound like my type of movie either.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you enjoyed your reading this week. I read a Thomas Perry book years and years ago and really enjoyed it. I don't know why I never read any of his other work.
I hope you have a great week, Diane!
Wendy, I don't think I could deal with CA traffic these days, even driving to Boston lately, I've opted for the train. Vermont is so special because, it's beautiful and the pace is much slower.
DeleteHave a great week.
I'm hearing all kinds of things about "mother," from rave reviews to reviews like yours. One reviewer even said that it was a dark comedy. Sounds like a pass to me, too.
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention "dark comic" for mother as I found myself smirking some parts were so ridiculous LOL
DeleteI'm on the library hold list for Almost Sisters...what did you think of it?
ReplyDeleteGood but not her best, almost done.
DeleteThat's such a beautiful area! My husband's great aunt lived near Manchester and I always loved visiting. We were just talking about a quick getaway... hopefully when the leaves are near peak! Haven't been to Hildene in ages.
ReplyDeleteManchester and Woodstock are my Vermont favorites. I do love Burlington too, but a bit too far.
DeleteIt sounds like you had a terrific week and Manchester sounds mighty nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian, it was fun.
DeleteI like those British Crime Classics. It sounds like a very good vacation.
ReplyDeleteIt was different, the British Crime mystery, but fun.
DeleteThat photo is so beautiful! I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. Probably a place I should put on my list.
ReplyDeleteI heard them talking about Mother! on the radio the other morning. It sounded very dumb, and your review makes it very clear that it is indeed quite dumb. PASS!
Charlie, Vermont is awesome!
DeleteYes, PASS on Mother!
Your Vermont trip report brought nostalgia to me. I grew up in New Jersey and we used to visit Vermont often. I loved it there. I will see Mother eventually because I love the actors but I am prepared for "the weird." I am currently reading the second mystery by P D James: A Mind to Murder.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Vermont, my husband would move there! LOL
DeleteDiane, we've been to Stowe Vermont, gorgeous! And we made the trek to The Vermont Country store! Loved it. New England is a beautiful part of our country. I read an article about Mother! and it doesn't sound like one I would like either. Just picked up 3 Bellairs to read, looking forward to them. Glad you had a lovely time.
ReplyDeleteI do love Vermont, Peggy. Stowe is pretty too. I hope you enjoy the British Crime mysteries.
DeleteVermont sounds so wonderful. I really want to visit it one of these days! Your weekend sounds like tons of fun although what a bummer the movie didn't live up to your expectations. I want to see it but we hardly ever make it to the movies so maybe we'll catch it later after it goes to streaming.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to visit New England someday.
DeleteSounds like a fabulous vacations and terrific books on the way. Sorry to hear Mother was not too good. When I saw Jennifer Lawrence, I had high hopes.
ReplyDeleteI loved Lawrence in Silver Lining Play Book, her debut, but less happy with subsequent movies she has been in. I read her boyfriend directed Mother.
DeleteI love The Poison Pen Press British Crime releases. Death of a Busybody sounds fantastic! I'm planning to head to Vermont in the next few years and am really looking forward to the visit. It looks like such a gorgeous state and I will keep Manchester in mind. I've heard only bad reviews of Mother so far so I'm thinking it isn't for me. I'm not a big fan of experimental movies. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThanks Katherine. I hope you will enjoy Vermont as much as we do. Pass on Mother until it's free on television LOL
DeleteVermont is beautiful. We were in Vermont very briefly last month. The audio book sounds good, quite "listenable". Have a terrific week ahead< Diane!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. Glad u enjoyed Vermont (loved your pictures on Instagram).
DeleteSounds like a fun trip to Vermont; it has been years since I've seen the fall foliage since southern California doesn't have any!
ReplyDeleteI never really thought about the fact the leaves don't change colors in CA....sad, but I might trade that for warmer weather ALL the time LOL
DeleteI love the Vermont Country Store! Isn't it fun to poke around its shelves? I too need to get to the Jackson book.
ReplyDeleteThere were so many things at the Vermont Country story that I hadn't seen since I was a little girl LOL Cleaning products my mom used, A sprinkle top bottle like she used to sprinkle clothes before ironing them (no stream irons then) LOL
DeleteIt sounds like you had a lovely time in Vermont. I visited there with my mom many years ago, also in September. I wanted to also add that I read (listened to) Almost Sisters and really enjoyed it. I hope you do too.
ReplyDelete