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July reading round-up! A bit of an odd selection, and a couple of ebooks because I was travelling quite a lot. (Really happy that August will be quieter.)
I’ll start with the physical books:
Liane Moriarity, APPLES NEVER FALL. I have a lot of respect for Moriarity as a storyteller. I appreciate her willingness to let the tale unfold, and I’ve learned to float happily through the earlier chapters of her tomes in faith that the entire complex of characters and motivations will unfold. Having said that…this one I didn’t love. Less seemed to be at stake. The final denouement was forced. It didn’t stack up to the very high standard she set with WHAT ALICE FORGOT, which still comes to my mind often (as it should for anyone who’s been married a long time).
Josephine Tey, MISS PYM DISPOSES. This is a revisit of an old favorite. I reread Tey’s eight mystery novels on a rotating basis. It’s extraordinary to me how she can develop a vivid living character with just a few strokes, how she can turn from setting to setting (a women’s physical training college, the Scottish highlands, an English village, a river trip) and each time produce an entirely original and gripping plot. Miss Pym is one of my favorites.
Andrew Pettegree, THE BOOK IN THE RENAISSANCE. Technically this is a “work book” because I’m using the first two chapters for a current project. But after that, I kept reading just for fun because I’m fascinated by the phenomenon of publishing. Such a great study. Really insightful about how whipping up outrage by portraying your political (religious) opponents as evil is financially profitable. And a fascinating side excursion into how the business of printing shaped and changed the medieval and Renaissance schools that we now think of as “classical.”
Shirley Jackson, NOVELS AND STORIES. I have only read “The Lottery” in memory, although I think I must have read “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” at some point. And I watched the newest TV adaptation of “The Haunting of Hill House” with my oldest son, who’s a horror buff. (It was fascinating.) I didn’t get all the way to “The Haunting” yet (that’s for August, I’ll report back), but I read through all of the short stories in the collection. “The Lottery” is by far the best. I don’t know if it’s my own lack of interest in short stories, or if Jackson just managed to randomly hit it out of the park with “The Lottery,” but none of the other stories stood out or demanded a reread.
And as for ebooks, which for me is Kindle that I read on planes and in hotels:
Noel Streatfeild, SKATING SHOES. I read a lot of British children’s classics when I was a kid, but I missed Streatfeild. I’ve been meaning to check her books out since I first heard them mentioned in the movie YOU’VE GOT MAIL, a really long time ago. Finally got around to it. Lovely plane and bedtime reading, sunny and optimistic and happy.
Pete Hegseth and David Goodwin, BATTLE FOR THE AMERICAN MIND: UPROOTING A CENTURY OF MISEDUCATION. I try to read books that I’m pretty sure I’ll disagree with, and I try to read with an open mind. My mind slammed shut around Part II, when the authors began to rip off (not even subtly) John Taylor Gatto while chalking every troubled part of the American school system up to an evil, amorphous THEY who are (apparently with unparalleled and sinister organization) using the public school system to destroy Christianity and preach progressive Marxist socialism (none of these terms are very well defined). Tons of fear-words. Very bad history. Very little clarity. Not helpful in the slightest.
46 minutes ago
I agree that What Alice Forgot is one of those books that wanders into my thoughts occasionally. If only I could re-read it for the first time again.
I'm turning 58 on Saturday August 8, and I'd like to hear from all of you about your birthday ideas.
My parents always made a huge deal about our birthdays. Not so much parties or outings, but we got complete control over our lives on the day. We could choose anything we wanted to eat (and everyone else had to fall in line), do whatever we pleased for the day (we got to watch unlimited TV! which for an essentially screen-free family was a HUGE indulgence), and we didn't have to do our chores. (It's a farm. We had a lot of chores.)
I've carried that feeling of freedom with me ever since, but it gets harder once you're older.
And 58 isn't really a milestone birthday. When I turned 40, I took my parents and a few close friends out for dinner at my favorite restaurant, and they made us a cake and gave us a brilliant evening. At 50, I cooked dinner for friends and poured out some lovely wine and we spent the evening eating and talking. I'm already contemplating what I'll do for 60.
But what shall I do for 58? What would YOU do? What is your birthday tradition? I'd really like to know.
3 days ago
Brunch with friends. Stand-up paddle boarding. Any hobby or little luxury you don't often indulge in. (Happiest wishes!)
Happy birthday blessings! We enjoy the day however the birthday person would like (nice meal, walk round a nice town on a B&B overnighter), enjoy quiet time together. Typically now it’s hubs and me, but sometimes it’s kids/extended family, so dinner and cake/ice cream. Family time.
Our family did the same as your parents for our kids —ANY food (within reason) that they want, homemade birthday cake. ❤️
I'm turning 58 in October, but I'm a foster parent. On my birthday I hide in my room on my phone and let my husband do everything! 😂😂😂
I took a trip to Canada. North Bay, to visit the Dionne Quintuplets Museum. I had a private tour by their nephew. My senior year of high school we had to do a big English paper and the Dionne Quintuplets were my topic. Visiting the museum was on my bucket list.
I love bodies of water so for my most recent birthday we went to a hotel a couple of hours away and the next day visited three lakes on the way home.
For my own birthday sometime I'd like to 1) host a Court Whist party and 2) host a contra dance with food
Go horseback riding
My 60 is May next year and it will be our 30th anniversary. I'm planning to travel with my hubby and re-visit Italy (it'll be his first time). I'll invite any friends who also want to come . I'm a planner and travel agent, so we will do it to the Nines! 🙂
For my 58th birthday I went to a contradance and then to Cheescake Factory where a friend paid for everyone's food, including a single piece of chocolate cheesecake that we all shared because none of us are really into sugary desserts 😆 Happy Birthday, Susan!
I don't work on my birthday (if I can help it), laze around, and maybe go out for dinner. If I have a special dessert, it would be strawberry shortcake, but only if I make it (or my mother), as it's in May and that's a splendid seasonal dessert. This time of year? Peaches or ice cream would be my faves. Go somewhere fun! Shop for yarn or hit up Colonial Williamsburg or something.
I would arrange a piano recital and give the gifts(money) to the charity thst I respect and where need this the most. I hope it’s blessed whatever you do! 🙂
This year I had my kids help with a garden / yard project that’s beyond normal maintenance . It was a really enjoyable day , I had lists printed of tasks to accomplish final goal. Teens said it was a fun day ! A friend hosts a favorite things birthday . Each lady brings something wrapped around $20 that’s a current favorite, there has been accessories , spices, cook books, lotions, sunscreens, etc.. people draw numbers to choose a gift, then the person who brought it tells everyone why they love that item currently. It’s a fun insight into the other people’s lives too
My birthday is between Christmas and New Year’s and then my son’s birthday is a couple of days after that. Now that I’m a mom with all of the pressure of holiday prep and festivities I tend to choose to do nothing on my birthday. I put on my coziest clothes, and then I read or watch something, or talk on the phone to my best friend (who lives across the country from me). We eat something easy (often pizza, it may be chili tots this year), so I don’t have to cook or get dressed to go out. I have gone antiquing, which was fun, but right after Christmas I’m not really in the mood for more shopping. Sometimes a big to-do is the best celebration, and sometimes a day of rest is the best way to celebrate!
Most memorable? My husband is not the best at celebrations but for my 50th he surprised me with a ladies night out, dropped me off at a restaurant with my gal friends. Wonderful!! This past year celebrated my birthday late by using a certificate my son gave us for a night in a yurt on a platform in the redwoods and zip lining. The stay and food were luxurious, but the zip line was an adventure in overcoming my fear of heights!! Luckily my son was there to catch me at the end of each run. Proud of myself for doing it!!
Four broke homeschool mom's are planning a Birthday Poldark Themed Nampara Escape. We can't afford England, but we're going to pretend the coast or RI is the British Riviera, dine at a Tavern and mix up some Cornwall cocktails!
I was completely inspired by Barbara Kingsolvers 50th birthday she hosted on their Virginia farm and detailed in Animal Vegetable Miracle. Please do something like that for 60! I am turning 46 this month and dream of something like that on my property for my 50th.
Go solo camping!
This year, I took a one afternoon art class the weekend before, then a trip to Houston for one night to see a few museums including NASA.
Last year my friends and I collected a bunch of salad dressing recipes we had always wanted to try, brought over all the ingredients, formed teams of 2, and then taste-tested them. It was so fun. I wanted to do that again this year with sandwich recipes but it was too hot to think. Happy Birthday, dear Susan!
I try to pick something new that I've never done before. Start another year right with adventure!...so sometimes because of life it's simply trying a new recipe. Sometimes is exploring a new town or learning a new skill.
We don't make a big scene about birthdays. We keep it low key. 🥰 Just spend time together as a family.
If you like traveling, go on a trip. Go somewhere new that you have never been before. Go see Something that you have always wanted to see.
We do similar as your parents for our kids! My husband creates a Surprise Birthday Outing Day, including a couple meals out. We cant go out often yet, and i love surprises. So it is very special for me. ❤️
For her 60th my mum had surfing lessons. Super cool. Who cares that it's not a milestone birthday? It's still worth celebrating, YOU are worth celebrating. I love to visit a garden nursery and buy a hot drink on my birthday.
