Saturday, July 9, 2022

Week in Review - Books, Life, Family

 



I can tell already that this summer is going to be one that I won't be sorry to see end.  Other than leaving the house for must do reasons, I've been staying home, reading, napping and looking forward to better days.  I have been reading and listening to audio books which has been my saving grace.  I'm hoping to get to our monthly book group meeting at the end of the month - we are reading/discussing The Only Woman in the Room; Marie Benedict, which I hope to start it soon. Have you read it?

COVID is rampant around here again and so far hit our fully vaccinated, daughter-in-law, my daughter, son-in-law and (1) granddaughter so far. Fortunately, they have or are recovering.  

I realized I never did a June Reading update but, because, I've had plenty of book time, it was a very good month.  I read (16) books, a few were children's books, almost 1/2 were audiobooks and most were very enjoyable. Here's the list/review links:

  1. Lightning Strike; William Kent Kruger - 4/5 stars (June)
  2. The Book Woman's Daughter; Kim Michele Richardson - 4/5 stars
  3. Love and Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food & Love; Kim Fay - 4.5/5 stars
  4. Cloud Cuckoo Land; Anthony Doerr - 4.5/5 stars
  5. Lucy By the Sea; Elizabeth Strout - 5/5 stars
  6. A Rose Named Peace: How Francis Meilland Created a Flower of Hope for a World at War Non Fiction - 5/5 stars
  7. Celia Planted a Garden: Story of Celia Thaxter and Her Island; Phyllis Root & Gary D. Schmidt - non fiction - 5/5 stars
  8. What Happened to the Bennetts?; Lisa Scottoline - 3.5/5stars
  9. It All Comes Down to This; Therese Anne Fowler - 3/5 stars
  10. A Long Petal of the Sea; Isabel Allende - 3.5/5 stars (book group)
  11. The Foundling; Ann Leary - 4/5 stars
  12. Tin House Road; Ellen Airgood - 2.5/5 stars
  13. Legacy; Nora Roberts - 4/5 stars
  14. The Midcoast; Adam White - 4/5 stars
  15. The Hotel Nantucket; Elin Hilderbrand - 4/5 stars
  16. Vacationland; Meg Mitchell Moore - 4.5/5 stars

Favorite Books of June


I posted on Instagram,  in case you missed it, some of my favorite books from the first half of 2022.



Do you have a favorite read from 2022?


I received (2) beautiful new hardcovers from Simon & Schuster which brightened my week. Both are books I think I will enjoy.

Fellowship Point; Alice Elliot Dark


How is your Summer Reading going?  I'm doing okay sticking to my list but have also found some books to substitute to my original list of of (20) books - but who cares right?  I've read (8) books off of my original list so far and (3) alternatives.

  1. The Shell Seekers; Rosamunde Pilcher
  2. The Summer Place; Jennifer Weiner
  3. Tin Camp Road; Ellen Airgood - 2.5/5 stars
  4. Life Ceremony; Sayaka Murata
  5. The Club; Ellery Lloyd
  6. The Lobotomist's Wife; Samantha Green Woodruff
  7. Metropolis; B.A. Shapiro
  8. The Book Woman's Daughter; Kim Richardson - 4/5 stars
  9. Summer Love; Nancy Thayer
  10. Vacationland; Meg Mitchell Moore  4.5/5 stars
  11. The Lost Summers of Newport; Beatriz Williams
  12. The Hotel Nantucket; Elin Hilderbrand - 4/5 stars
  13. The House Across the Lake; Riley Sager - 3.5/5 stars
  14. It All Comes Down to This; Therese Anne Fowler - 3/5 stars
  15. Stay Awake; Megan Goldin
  16. A Sister's Story; Donatella DiPetrantonio - 3.5/5 sr=tars
  17.  The Midcoast; Adam White - 4/5 stars
  18. Godspeed; Nickolas Butler
  19. Summer Guest; Justin Cronin
  20. The It Girl; Ruth Ware
Have you made a list of summer reads; are any of mine on your list as well?

Alternate Summer Reads not on List
  1. Love and Saffron; Kim Fay - 4.5/5
  2. Lucy By the Sea; Elizabeth Strout - 5/5 stars
  3. The Foundling; Ann Leary - 4/5 stars
This week I'm looking forward to getting out a bit more and the following books:

  1. Reputation; Sarah Vaughn -- finish reading hardcover
  2. Tracy Flick Can't Win; Tom Perrotta -- finish audio
  3. The Shell Seekers; Rosamunde Pilcher - I've so been looking forward to what I think will be a real comfort read.
Have a good week everyone!

40 comments:

  1. Our area is in such a drought this year that I am very much looking forward to cooler, wetter months. Hope they will eventually appear. It wasn't nearly as hot last year when we moved to our new town. Ah well. Texas does have a way of doing this from time to time. 2011 was a really, really hot, dry time in Central Texas. We moved into our previous house that summer in early August and I remember it was 108 the day we moved. So sorry for the movers helping us. I handed out water and sports drinks like made.

    We've heard of several good friends in the Austin area that have been sick with COVID. All their shots, etc. A couple have been the parents of friends our age and we've been happy that they recovered without too much sickness. I talked to one of my friends yesterday and asked about her folks, both had tested positive, and she said they were fine now. Just going stir-crazy at home again because of not getting out at all.

    Diane, hope your upcoming weeks are a little more fun. Does sound like you've had some good reading days. Take care!

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    1. That is terrible Kay, we can't complain about our summer temps and have had some (need more) rain. It's been low to mid 80s and sunny but a few days may reach 90 the coming week. Glad the COVID stricken you know have recovered - thank goodness for the vaccine.

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  2. Good luck with the long and interesting reading list. I hope your weather is soon better.

    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Mae, actually our summer temps.weather has been fine low to mid 80s with some rain now and then. A few 90 degree days next week so not too bad. Have a good week.

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  3. I don't do lists but I see several titles on your list that are of interest; some I've already read and others I hope to get to in coming weeks. The weather here is absolutely miserable. The predicted high today is 104 and I can't remember when we've last had rain. And, of course, water restrictions are in effect. Our lawn is brown but many of my tough, old plants are doing surprisingly well. That and the fact that I have my favorite chair with a stack of books alongside hearten me. And, oh yes, the air conditioning helps!

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    1. I couldn't deal with that heat even with AC. We have been in the low-mid 80s and it may reach 90 (2) days next week. We don't have any water restrictions either at this time so the lawns are still green an flowers in bloom.

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  4. I think you’re doing great on your summer reading! I’m doing good except for not sticking to my original list very well. I’m hoping to get Fellowship Point from the library soon. Maybe someday I’ll end up in Maine for real!

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  5. There are so many pretty towns in Maine. I do hope you hope get to visit sometime. Glad your summer reading is progressing - it's fun to go off list now and then too!

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  6. I am doing okay with my summer reading challenge, I have read quite a few books not on there, so maybe I should just change my list, LOL. Have a great weekend and thanks for coming by my blog earlier.

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    1. Exactly Cindy, when our book lists aren't working, we need to change them.

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  7. That is quite the reading list. I hope you keep far away from the evil Covid.

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    1. I know - it was kinda lonely with everyone sick and, now the other sister who is 8 tested positive yesterday.

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  8. Hi Diane,
    I'm sorry to hear that your summer has not been one of your best. Summer is not my favorite season, so I can commiserate, but I imagine there might be more to your wish to see the season come to an end. Our wariness about Covid, with Ken being immuno-compromised continues. My pandemic blues have sometimes verged into pandemic depression, I'm afraid to say. I do hope your reading buoys you up at times, as it does for me. The pandemic and my less than positive feelings about summer is one of the reasons I've signed up for a third summer in a writing class. I often feel out of my depth, though, but it feels good to (try and try) to rise to a bit of a challenge. I always enjoy your posts!!

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    1. Thanks for the inspiring comment you left. This pandemic has gone on far too long and although we do and go where we can, life is just different. I hope your writing class makes you happy and, I look forward to you telling us more as it progresses.

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  9. I haven't read The Only Woman in the Room, but my book group read and discussed The Other Einstein. I saw Fellowship Point on another blog, and got a publicity email from the publisher right after that, so I immediately added it to my TBR list. You had a great month of reading in June. Good job on the summer reading challenge. So frustrating about Covid. Our county is now in a "High Risk" stage once again. We have family arriving a week from Monday and I hope everyone stays healthy! Hugs to you, Diane.

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    1. Thanks Les, I hope you can all have a nice visit and come out of it feeling well too. Fellowship Point is a very long book but, I love the sound of it and hope to read it by September. Have a good week.

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  10. Covid is really hitting hard again, isn't it? I'm sorry that so many of your family have been affected. I hope they continue to do well. I'm kind of reining things in too a bit in terms of going out. This new variant is apparently hyper transmissible...

    Glad your reading has gone well, I think Vacationland and Tucci's book both look awesome.

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    1. Thanks Greg, yes, we have stopped going to restaurants again as right now opting for delivery when the mood strikes us. Vacationland and the Tucci book were both excellent. I hope you stay healthy and have a good week.

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  11. That's a successful reading month. My mum and step dad and then my partner's aunt and uncle were the last people to have Covid. Thankfully they are all ok - again all vaccinated. I'm just suffering with colds at the moment. It's a nightmare!

    Hope you have a great week.

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
    My post:
    https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2022/07/10/sunday-salon-12/

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    1. Hi Emily, yes, it's really been a struggle staying COVID free - we try to wear masks when we will be among strangers in a more crowded setting.

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  12. Covid cases are on the rise over here, too! And there's also one or two imported monkeypox cases which make it all the more depressing. I wonder when would all these end. :(
    Onto another topic, you're doing great with your reading and I wish I can read as much and as fast like you. Hope you've a great week ahead!

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    1. Thanks Melody, yes, the whole COVID, Monkey Pox and whatever comes next can be quite depressing. Makes me want to hibernate all the more at times. Have a good week.

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  13. You did read a lot of really good books in June! I hope July is just as good. :) And I'm glad your family members all seem to be recovering from Covid well. Hope you avoid it!

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  14. Thanks Melody, yes, the whole COVID, Monkey Pox and whatever comes next can be quite depressing. Makes me want to hibernate all the more at times. Have a good week.

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  15. Oh, Diane, I'm sorry to hear about all of those in your family and area who have gotten Covid. I hope they all recover quickly.

    What a fantastic list of reads you have for June. I like your list of best books for the first half of the year, too. I had no idea that Elizabeth Strout had a new book out, so that you so much for this especially.

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    1. Hi Deb, yes, OMG, Elizabeth Strout's new book is so timely and wonderful. Can't get enough of that author.

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  16. The Shell Seekers has been on my TBR for AGES!! Maybe this is the summer I should move it up the list. I did publish a post of my favorite reads so far this year: https://www.bookshelfjourneys.com/post/my-fave-reads-midway-2022
    and my weekend post: https://www.bookshelfjourneys.com/post/sunday-post-6

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    1. Hi Terrie, I loved Winter Solstice after waiting 20 years to read it this past winter. The way Pilcher has a knack of describing everything in a way that you want to savor every word. I'm sorry I waited this long to try her. Thanks for linking your favorite reads here I'll check it out. Have a good week.

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  17. Hi there Diane!

    Wow... such great books you've read. Glad to see Cloud Cuckoo Land is one of your favorites for June, I'm looking forward to still reading it.

    Sorry to hear you are not feeling very positive about this summer..... Maybe it will still get better!

    Have a good week and happy reading.

    Thanks for visiting us!

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    1. I hope you will enjoy Cloud Cuckoo Land, It did take me a bit to get into it but, once I stopped trying to figure it all out I was able able to enjoy the excellent writing and amazing story.

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  18. I'm sorry this summer has been so difficult... between the news, Covid, and general life stuff it can all get so frustrating! We're not eating inside restaurants and continue to mask just about everywhere indoors. Levels in the county are medium now, but seems like they're inching up. Glad so many activities can be done outdoors now. I hope your family members are feeling better. My daughters and boyfriends are all recovered, and I continue to be thankful my parents have still managed to avoid it.

    At least you have plenty of good books. I missed your instagram post but see some of my own favorites there, plus several more I'm looking forward to reading. Take care, Diane.

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    1. Thanks JoAnn, yes, all family members recovered fairly quickly from COVID - especially the kiddos who were vaccination. The kids just had a sore throat, low fever and some coughing.

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  19. Congrats on finishing Cloud CuckooLand!

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    1. A monumental task - LOL for me at least - such good writing though.

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  20. Diane, I just want to follow up with the reply you wrote to my comment on your post. "Life is just different." And that is so true, and I struggle with it, and each day try to come up with ways to stretch my brain and keep myself sane, but it is a difference that is a struggle each and every day. I wish you and your husband and your entire family the very best.

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    1. Judith, you are so kind, thank you. I do try to add some little new project to the mix a few times a week, even if it's cleaning and purging a closet LOL Hope your week is a good one.

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  21. Wow--16 books in one month is definitely impressive. Many of the books on your list are also on mine. I love this book blogging community so much--so many good ideas for what to read next. Covid finally hit our family--my daughter in CA came down with it after her roommate tested positive. She is taking longer to recover (being fully vaccinated and boosted) than I expected, but she is finally starting to feel better. Best wishes for a happy reading month in July!

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    1. Hi Jane, yes, it seems the latest strain of COVID is nearly impossible to avoid. Thank goodness for the vaccine and glad your daughter is finally recovering. MY DIL took a bit longer to recover but, she did have pneumonia about 3 years ago so not sure if that might have been why. I love our book bloggers and the many ways I feel connected to many - not just through books. I've been really enjoying your IG posts. Have a good week.

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  22. Sorry to hear about the covid. It's rampant again in the UK as well. It's depressing as you wonder if it will ever end. I was wondering how you're doing? Ok I hope, been thinking about you. Take care.

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