My Best of 2019*

We’re talking books, that is! This was an exciting year outside of the literary sense as well.

*Not necessarily published this year

Tangerine
The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells
Normal People
The End of Loneliness by Benedict Wells (not the erotic novel with the same name)
Daisy Jones and the Six
Ask Again, Yes
Three Women
Disappearing Earth
Crossing to Safety
Tin Man
Women Talking
Night Boat to Tangier

With two weeks left in the year, there will be an update no doubt. Recommendations anyone? Happy reading to you and yours!

UPDATE: I forgot a great one I just saw in my bedside drawer. Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday. So good!

Costa Rican Addition: It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Talk about things that go bump in the night. AND day! It's no wonder Spielberg chose this country to film "Jurassic Park". So many crazy hybrid animals!

Sitting at the Liberia airport with time on my hands. So here goes.

What have I recently finished reading?

Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich. Interconnected short stories of an extended Native American family in North Dakota. She's a fabulous writer. 4+ stars.

What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi. Outstanding stories and writing. Each involves a key of some sort. To a library, heart, door, mind. You get the picture. Loved it!

What am I reading now?

The Ravishing of Lol Stein by Marguerite Duras, translated from French. Only 30 pages in but liking it very much so far. It's short so I should finish it by Houston.

What will I read next?

I have Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan in my carry on. It's supposed to be light and fun. Good deal!

That's it! How about you?

Hosted by The Book Date

It's Monday, February 13th! What Are You Reading? Quick, Quick!!!

Hosted by The Book Date.

I say “Quick, Quick” because I would rather tell you about my experience in a Mayan sweat lodge while it is fresh in my memory. Though first I need to write it down.

What have I recently finished since we last discussed?

Nothing. I was on vacation, but not on the type of vacation that made reading easily prioritized. Actually, most days/nights, I did not have the mental or physical capacity for it.

What am I currently reading?

The same stuff as last time though I am a bit further along.

About halfway through and it continues to engage. It is funny, too. I now know what "The Nix" is! Love when the meaning of a title is illuminated. I also love the cover art on this one, too. It makes perfect sense for the story. This book is really good and I fully understand the "buzz" surrounding it though I wish I had more time to devote to it right now.

I am a Mary Oliver fan through and through. I just love her. This collection returns to what I think Oliver writes about best, her observations of nature and her surroundings.

Thirst is exactly what my desiccated lips and mind need right this very minute. I have taken to reading each poem once internally then out loud for the second time just to see if the experience is different. Feels different. It does and I will continue on this way. Will be finished today, sadly.

Almost finished and almost wish I was not listening to this. It is a bit confusing as there are so many names that sound similar, and the timing goes forward and back. Maybe it’s me. Still, it is compelling and sad and heartbreaking. Why are we so cruel to one another?

What will I read next?

Of COURSE! I have pre-ordered my copy for his event on March 2nd, and it is available for pickup TOMORROW!!! WOO HOO! Can’t wait. I am sure I will finish it before I come back for “It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?” next time. Wait. I’ll be out of town. Trust me, it will be finished!

Okay, how about you? Any recommendations or books you think I should read?

It's Monday, January 23rd! What Are You Reading?

Hosted by The Book Date

It was a great week in my reading life helped by the fact that I was on vacation.

What have I recently finished?

Man, I just love her and made quick work of this collection. Read almost the entire thing on a four hour flight. It is that good. This book is some sassy, sexy, troubling stuff. Exactly what I love! Described by Goodreads as “(a) collection of stories of rare force and beauty, of hardscrabble lives, passionate loves, and quirky and vexed human connection.” A-mazing!!!

This book club pick that proved worthy of lively and meaningful discussion even though I only gave it 3-stars. Waters writes beautifully, but this 570 page novel could easily have been 370, in my humble opinion. She writes same gender sensuality extremely well. I wish she might have dove into one character’s thoughts about her first experience in any kind of depth. Maybe she did not for a reason.

If you can get past the base premise of a Lolita-esque love affair, this book was very satisfying, well written and narrated (audiobook)). I give it two thumbs up. Try it!

What am I currently reading?

This is my next book club pick which was so convenient because I already had it on my shelf just begging to be read.

This book is best sipped story-by-story and is somewhat thought provoking so far.

What will I read next:

As usual, who knows?

What do you have going on these days?

Friday Afternoon Thoughts and Reading or Thoughts About What I'm Reading.

So I'm right this minute reading a book. Actually, I set it down to write this. Well, that's obvious.

The thing is, I stopped to ponder Katrin's (the main character) number one worse fear. Here's some back story so you can understand my train of thought.

Katrin and Eric were married for forty or so years. Forever! Eric has died and it's devastating. In their attic, Eric kept carefully tied and bundled letters in duffle bags and a trunk for fifty years. Since way before he was married to his first wife or Katrin. I'm talking hundreds and hundreds of them. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but I don't think so.

Eric took a trip with his school chums to the south of France when they were young. Fun and adventure is lovely at any age, isn't it? Somehow, though I don't yet know why but I think for temporary lodging, he is steered towards a woman named Monique. You see, most of these letters, opened and unopened, to Eric are from her. And he did not discourage Katrin from reading them. In fact, he told her to. She's a writer of people, biographies of a sort. And writing about her husband through these letters may help in her grieving process, he thinks. As a matter of fact, the last story he was able to tell her was the beginning of the adventure that lead to the letters in the first place and he was so happy.

Back to Katrin's fear. She's begun translating Monique's letters (those opened by Eric) since they are in French. Her mind starts spinning.

What if Eric lived an intensely richer, more passionate life before their marriage? What if she didn't know him as well as she thought? Should she halt her efforts to learn more despite what she may come to learn?

She's NOT snooping. The material belongs to her now, but how much do we actually know about our loving spouse's life before us like their innermost thoughts and feelings about others? How much do we want to know?

How much do I know?

In turn, how much does he "really" know about my time before him? Certainly not every little bit of everything.

Sets my mind to spinning, too. Okay, I'm back to reading. I'll report back about what more I discover.

It's Monday of Thanksgiving Week 2016! What Are You Reading?

Hosted by The Book Date.

(Even though I couldn't get all the titles to highlight properly, please click on the book title for a link to the Goodreads description.)

Nothing to do with what I am reading, but everything to do with what I am actually doing… We had Chinese food for dinner last night, and I just now ate my fortune cookie. 

“You will always have good luck in your personal affairs.” 

Uh, I’ll TAKE IT!!! 

"Lucky # 30,59,29,45,11,3". Don’t play the lottery, but if I did…

What have I finished reading?

I am going to go out on a limb, but it is almost year's end. The best book I have read in 2016 is The Lesser Bohemians by Eimear McBride. McBride is an Irish author. Her writing is lyrical, almost reads like poems/poetry. It took a bit of time to relax into the phrasing and cadence, but once I did, it was magic. And don't get me started on the cover art!

This book is devastatingly heartbreaking. It is most often raw, and sometimes ugly. It ran through my veins. I did not want it to end.

This type of writing will not be for everyone, and I wasn’t even sure it was for me to begin with, but if you like poetry, beautiful writing, some eroticism, and are alright with oftentimes despicable characters, this may be for you, too.

What am I currently reading?

I am listening to The Sellout by Paul Beatty. Haven’t had enough car time lately. Hysterical narrating. Comedic timing is on, and the writing is something else.

I am also just starting All We Shall Know by Donal Ryan. Have no idea what it is about, but my bestie brought it back for me from Ireland. She went into a bookstore just for ME!!!

What will I read next?

I’ll Sell You a Dog by Juan Pablo Villalobos. I love this guy.  (Quesadillas and Down the Rabbit Hole)

The Nix by Nathan Hill.

What are you reading, please tell?

(I am seriously considering not participating in the Goodreads Reading Challenge in 2017. While I am a book ahead of “schedule” and I enjoy the accountability and motivations, I do not like making book choices based on length just to successfully fulfill it. I committed to 60 books. Do you participate and how do you feel about it?)

It's Monday! What Are YOU Reading?: Halloween!

Hosted by The Book Date

[Blogger’s Note: This should probably be, “It’s Autumn! What Are You Reading?”; it’s been so long since I have set down a I am reading post. I’ll play along like I am supposed to then add some additional books I’ve read at the end just in case you make it that far! If you wanted further detail, I am writing this while making my world famous hot wings for a Bears tailgate tonight. Terrifying, I know. Not because it’s Halloween or has anything to do with the wings. It has everything to do with how horrible the Bears are this season (and all seasons where J. Cutler is involved). What can I say? Chicago sports fans tend to be long suffering. And I wouldn’t be going if certain family members weren’t requiring it!]

What did I read last week?

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett. While it was good as Patchett perennially is, nothing she writes with compare with Bel Canto, for me. Still. It is a worth reading family drama.

Little Birds- Erotica by Anais Nin. I am still fanning myself. This is by far the hottest stuff I have ever laid hands on (in book form. Sorry, had to be sassy.)! This book left me sassy and feeling and a whole lot of other things you’ll only know if you pick up this book or have already read it. If someone writes sex better than Nin, will you please tell me? Uh, now!

Levels of Life by Julian Barnes. A few years ago, I told you The Sense of an Ending was one of my favorite all-time books. I loved it. This one is just so different from that one. I am not sure it is telling a story, or a cohesive one. It is short, has a poetic vibe, and  the writing is lovely as is Barnes’ style. It is worth a look!

What am I currently reading?

Upstream: Essays by Mary Oliver. I first fell in love with her and didn’t even know it during a Millenium Park yoga gathering several years back. The instructor began the class with a meditation on our backs in Savasana. My eyes, which are normally closed, remained open as she recited “Wild Geese” two times through. First slowly, then at a more quick clip. She ended the same way reciting two times. I felt it burn into my soul and ran home to look it up. I didn’t know the name of the poem right then. I used the phrases I could remember. “Wild Geese”. It is in a collections titled Dream Work. Subsquent to that moment, I have read four collections by Oliver. Each one a delicacy that made my heart sing for joy. This is her first work in essay form (methinks). I can’t wait for more time hunkering down with her.

Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith. Is Highsmith generally an underrated mystery writer? Maybe I only found her because I finally read The Talented Mr. Ripley this year. And if that one gave you the willys, this one will do the same and then some. I am about halfway into the audiobook version, and it is reminding me that there is nothing like a good, suspenseful, subtle stalker tale! Highsmith rules the creepy stuff!

What am I planning to read next?

The Lesser Bohemians by Eimear McBride, and/or The Nix by Nathan Hill. By the way, both of these have awesome cover art! I have The Sellout by Paul Beatty, also the recent Man Booker award winner, downloaded and queued up for when I finish Strangers. 

Other great books I read this fall are:

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead: Beyond outstanding.

Nutshell by Ian McEwan: A fresh and unique writing perspective. Typical McEwan = beautifully written.

The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney: It was a good, not great, story about a dysfunctional family and inheritance.

The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer: This was a fantastic book. Poignant, funny, sassy. As only Schumer can be.

Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell: There is no one out there like her. No one compares. I’ve never learned so much U.S. history while enjoying myself as reading her books (this was my third). Ever!

Ripley Under Ground by Patricia Highsmith: Because I just had to know what happened next. And next. And next.

Happy reading! I better not nibble on any more wings otherwise I will severely disappoint those counting on me!

[After sufficient sampling, I can attest they came out as fabulous and tasty as ever. YUM!]

It's Monday, May 23, 2016! What Are You Reading? (Insomniac Addition)

Hosted by The Book Date

Don’t you completely hate insomnia? I didn’t fall asleep until after 3:30 a.m. last night. This reminds me of a quote I recently added over at Goodreads.

“Insomnia is his mind's revenge for all the tricky thoughts he has carefully avoided during the daylight hours.” Alain de Botton, The Course of Love 

What have I recently finished?

The Course of Love by Alain de Botton. I have been married for over 27 years, and this book speaks to my me and the loving relationship I have had with a member the opposite sex for longer than that. 

This is my review on Goodreads:

“'If you could read my mind love, what a tale my thoughts could tell.’ Gordon Lightfoot

To me, Alain de Botton, is like this regarding relationships. He reads my mind, and knows my thoughts without knowing me at all. 

This is the long awaited follow up to On Love. That book was insightful. This one is even more so, and I loved it!

If you are a long-time married person, you'll probably concur that he is "spot on”.”

I added a number of quotes from this book on Goodreads as well (all but two shown). I stopped after I realized I was just jamming up my friends’ news feeds. Basically, the entire book should be in quotes!

What am I currently reading?

I am about to finish up Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor. I am enjoying this in its audio version. Don’t you just love that moment when a title’s meaning is revealed? Don’t we all strive to have “wise blood”?

For my book group, I am on the first chapter of Purity by Jonathan Franzen. I need to hustle my tush with this. It was my book club recommendation as I thought it would make for a perfect, in-depth discussion and we are meeting at the beginning of June!

The Nest by Cynthis D’Aprix Sweeney

What will I read next?

Haven’t a clue. So many books in my house, so little time!

What has your reading week been like?

It's Monday, April 18th! What Are You Reading (Tax Day Edition)?

Hosted by The Book Date

Since we last discussed books back in February, I really have been reading even though I haven’t told you about it.

What have I finished recently?

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath 

The Pharos Gate by Nick Bantock (the very last in the simply stunning Griffin and Sabine series) 

Valletta78 by Erin Fitzgerald (Yikes!). 

I am sure there have been others, but my feeble brain is blanking.

What am I currently reading, you ask?

I am getting ready to finish a few. Specifically:

Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson, who, by the way, was a finalist over at Literary Hub's Tournament of Literary Sex Writing. Yes! 

Felicity by Mary Oliver. This is my third collection by her, and I have loved each and every one.

Innocents and Others by Dana Spiotta. Here is the description from Goodreads. 

The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith. I am listening to this book, and it is fascinating. Remember the movie? Yeah, ME TOO!!!

What will I read next?

I am heading out of town at the end of this week. I plan to bring two short story collections and one novel. I seem to do better with novels in airports and on planes. Short stories work better, for me, poolside. They are:

What is Not Yours is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi (short stories with a key, actual or symbolic, at the center)

The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra (short stories)

The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney (novel about a dysfunctional family fighting over inheritance (isn’t that the way it seems to go?)).

What are you reading these days?

It's Monday, February 22nd. What Are You Reading?

Hosted by The Book Date!

I was away last week so I had the opportunity for quite a bit of reading due to travel time.

I have recently finished:

The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante. It is no secret that I am absolutely nuts, and obsessed, with this author and her books. This one was gobbled up on the travel day to my destination. It is classic Ferrante. Dark. Gut-punching. Compelling.

Simple Passion by Annie Ernaux. This I devoured poolside over the course of two days. I believe I first became aware of this journal-like novel from a Book Riot post. Translated from French, Ernaux chronicles what it was like being emotionally, physically, and mentally obsessed with  a lover over the course of two years. It isn’t so much about her feelings, but more of her actions and thought process. I understood it to be more of a memoir. I can’t say I have felt or done these things in relation to just one person, but I certainly saw glimpses of myself over the course of multiple relationships. It was fascinating, familiar, and gripping.

Troubling Love by Elena Ferrante. Again, I love her though this wasn’t a favorite of mine. The writing felt cumbersome and disjointed. There is always an element of discomfort and the unexpected in Ferrante’s stories. You come to expect it, and this novel had it as well. I will read anything she writes.

The Story of a New Name by…guess who?…Elena Ferrante. Thank goodness I brought a fourth book because I needed it halfway home. This is the second of four books in the My Brilliant Friend series. I loved My Brilliant Friend and care about these characters, and I continue to feel the same way with The Story of a New Name.

I am currently reading:

My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout (of Pulitzer Prize winning note for Olive Kitteridge). I am loving it. Strout has such style. I just get her. If you’ve ever read anything by her, you’ll know what I mean. Like Olive Kitteridge, it induces strong visceral feelings and reactions. I am always on the edge waiting for the other shoe to drop. Call me crazy, but I like that feeling.

Since I should be wrapping this up today, my plan is to start The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Now this is supposed to be cray-cray! Don’t know what’s going on with me, but I am craving unstable characters these days!

I want to get my hands on:

Felicity by Mary Oliver and Forty Rooms by Olga Grushin. But before I do that, I need to finish up H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald, which is sitting right next to me.

That’s me! What are you reading? Any recommendations?

Update!!!

My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just like her writing. She leads us gently through the dynamics of a mother/daughter relationship, and others of equal importance, without ever hitting us over the head. We get to do the discovery. The epitome of subtlety.

View all my reviews

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (2/8/16)

Hosted by The Book Date!

Some weeks are better than other, for reading and, really, for life in general. Last week was fantastic all-around!

I finished reading…

The Feast of Love by Charles Baxter. I picked up this book because I adored his collection of short stories. I was not disappointed. It reads like interconnected vignettes with character’s weaving though everyone’s story. Life in a small college town might just feel that way.

The Portable Veblen by Elizabeth Mckenzie. This book came out a few weeks ago, and after seeing it on so many "must read" lists, I couldn’t resist. It is quirky. Describing it as “unique” and “fun” does not do it justice. It is so much more than that. Clever and amusing and charming book.

Dream Work by Mary Oliver. This was my second poetry collection by Oliver so far, in life and in 2016. I actually sought out this one first, before her Pulitzer Prize winning collection American Primitive, because of one poem. It is called Wild Geese. A year ago September, I attended a community yoga class in Millennium Park here in Chicago. There were yogis of all shapes, sizes and abilities. The air was crisp and the sun shining bright. As the class began, we closed our eyes to reflect and the teacher recited Wild Geese. The moment was fleeting and I remember loving the words and wanting to hear them again. During our final resting pose, she read the poem once more. And then again more slowly so that we could take them in. Needless to say, I ran home and “Googled” the poem. 

The rest is history, and I am in love with Mary Oliver. I want to see life/things through her eyes and express myself half as eloquently, lusciously as she. I can’t imagine it will be too long before I get my hands on Felicity.

All three books mentioned above receive two enthusiastic thumbs up from me!

I am currently reading…

The other day, I mentioned three half-finished books that I want to complete before moving on to others. I don’t know if I am actually able to do this because I have an idea already in my mind as to which books I’d like to take on vacation, but it’s worth a try.

1. H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald.
2. Dear Mr. You by Mary-Louise Parker (of theater, movie, and Weeds fame)
3. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Today, I am planning to wrap up Dear Mr. You. 

Next up…

I fairly sure I am taking The Story of a New Name (My Brilliant Friend, Book 2) by Elena Ferrante with me to wherever it is I am going, which I still do not know three days out and it is still driving me crazy. It’s 480 pages, but I will definitely take another two just in case.

Okay, bring on your reading recommendations!

Half-Finished Books...

1. H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
2. Dear Mr. You by Mary-Louise Parker
3. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these. I will not pick another book until I finish these.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Fast and Furious Addition)

Thanks to The Book Date!

So here’s the scoop fast and furious. 

I have finished:

Since finishing A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara last week, which was a BIG book in every way imaginable, I needed something to balance my brain from it. So I chose The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter. Walter also wrote Beautiful Ruins, which left me lukewarm. However, this book was so much fun. Hilariously depressing. Akin to novels by Joshua Ferris, but Walter came before. It had a wee bit of a Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas style, too.

American Housewife by Helen Ellis. I said this about it on Goodreads:

“This is a hard one to rate as I have read quite a few short story collections, which I felt more feelings for. That said, some stories are so outstanding! Ellis has such a cool voice. I really like "The Wainscoting War", "Dumpster Diving With the Stars" (Woo hoo!), "Hello! Welcome to Book Club", "The Fitter", and "How to be a Patron of the Arts". The first half stories felt fresh and unique. I feel bad, though, saying the second half seemed so similar. Nothing unique. Even observing this, I had so much fun with this collection. I have been and am an American housewife.

3.5 stars!”

What am I currently reading?

The Story of a New Name (The Neapolitan Novels, #2) by Elena Ferrante. If you haven’t started this series, DO! I love everything she has written. I’ve been hanging on to two of her other novels,Troubling Love and The Lost Daughter, for almost a year. Since they are short, I intend to bring those on a secret vacation next week. Why secret? Because I have absolutely no idea where I am going. Hubby says he will give me “climate’ for packing purposes two days out. WHAT? 

That’s me! What about you?

It's Monday, January 25th! What Are You Reading?

 

It has been a long, long while since I voluntarily undertook and completed a 720 page book, but I did last week! I finished A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. First and foremost, this story is about love. And friendship. Yanagihara (I love saying her name!) follows one character, Jude St. Francis, for decades and the relationships that thread through his life. We know something bad, very bad, happened to Jude in his childhood; that is no secret. You need to pull out your thesaurus for words to describe the horrific things this character faces. Like all of us, his experiences formed who he is, and we see the impact this has on his relationships. I cared about these characters so much that what happens actually hurt. I am still thinking about them two days out and will, most likely, continue to do so. While it was expansive and epic, it was also one of the most difficult books I have ever read due to subject matter. Not for the faint of heart! I highly recommend this book.

After setting down A Little Life, I stood before my book shelves looking for something fun and light. There isn’t much “fluff” there though I wish there was for this very reason, but I did find one to fit the bill, The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter. Have you read Beautiful Ruins? He wrote that too, but this has a far different feel. It is cheeky and hilarious. The writing is crisp and clever. While I am only 60 pages in, this guy is funny! I am having fun, and it’s exactly what the doctor ordered. (I just now discovered there is a movie based on this book starring Jack Black. Hmmmmm...)

I am also working my way through a second collection of poems by Mary Oliver called Dream Work. I am liking it even better than her Pulitzer Prize winning American Primitive, which I adored. There is a special poem in this one. It is the reason I picked up Oliver to begin with. After I finish, I will tell you the story.

Can’t wait to get my hands on My Name is Lucy Barton. I am a huge Strout fan since Olive Kitteridge. 

Tell me about you. Anything. Which book are you holding this week?

Hosted by The Book Date!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Who Moved My Cheese?, and MLK, Jr. Addition)

Hosted by The Book Date

When I have a dog sitter (AKA Darling Daughter or Sassy Son) in the house, which I did this last weekend, I can never find my stuff, like this computer, once they vacate. I searched and searched for it thinking I’d eventually have to write this post on my phone. Once found, and in reality, I have this very vague memory that it was where I, myself, stashed it. But never mind that when I can place blame elsewhere for my frustration. I am mostly kidding here. 

What am I reading this bright and sunny though absolutely frigid Monday morning? I am still making my way through Hanya Yanatihara’s 720 page book called A Little Life. I am within 200 pages of finishing so I feel the end is in sight. My goal is to finish before Thursday night’s Read Harder book group meeting here in Chicago!!!

As I feel with most hefty tomes (The Goldfinch as one example), some fat could be trimmed from the story. I am truly loving the character development in this book, BUT…

I am fully aware and anticipate being completely crushed and broken-hearted once I finish. There is no other place for this story to go, and I will be intensely disappointed, after devoting so much time, if the author ties this up with a pretty bow. I highly doubt she will.

I am also about a quarter way through a collection of poems called Dream Work by Mary Oliver. If you remember, last week I read Oliver’s Pulitzer Prize winning collection called American Primitive (I sent it to a known poetry lover and I hope they enjoy it). I am liking Dream Work even more!

Not sure what I will be in the mood for once I finish A Little Life. I am expecting a hangover. Though, in the spirit of this holiday, Martin Luther King Day, I should aim to finish Between the World and Me.

It's Monday!!! What Are You Reading?

Having a hard time concentrating lately. Reading has suffered for it, and that bums me out. Plus it is colder than a witch’s tit here. 

(All titles are linked to their Goodreads description. I am linking this up with The Book Date!)

In the last week I finished a book of poems titled American Primitive by Mary Oliver. This collection won Oliver the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1983, which is coincidentally the year I graduated from college! I reviewed it as such:

“Done and dusted in one day! Maybe I should have lingered with them longer, but it was cold and dreary and I was in a sappy mood so, I guess, this was exactly what my soul needed that day. They warmed me like a soft blanket. These poems are based in nature and I loved that. I have also heard it's Oliver's "thing". Whether the poem is about a season or a tree or an animal, I felt. I, in particular, loved the ones about seasons in general or the herons (I believe my dear mother-in-law was reincarnated as one because they were her favorite birds and are a plenty on a small lake in Indiana I know well, and one regularly rests on the end of my pier when I'm there. Okay, so I talk with it, too. Don't tell anyone.). While all of them touched me, perhaps my favorite was "Music". AH, but "In Blackwater Woods". "The Plum Trees"!!!!!!! Maybe, "Postcard from Flamingo". I simply enjoyed too many. I have Dream Work, also by Oliver. Today seems like the perfect day to start that one.”

I also finished the novel Where All Light Tends to Go by David Joy, and this is what I had to say:

“Dark like Cormac McCarthy, but the writing is not sparse. It felt more lush, yet stomach-turning, if you can possibly place those two adjectives in the same sentence and it make sense. I enjoyed this glimpse into a world with which I am extremely unfamiliar. However, there are underlying motivations for the characters' actions and behavior that are all too human and, at times, relatable even if I'd hate to admit it.”

I am currently on page 310 of a 720 page tome called A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. It is incredibly heavy stuff and, as I explained to a friend, I have to put it down after 20-30 pages to digest and take a break! It doesn’t move at breakneck speed, but I am determined to push through. 

I am also listening to Did You Ever Have a Family? by Bill Clegg. I can’t get enough of this book! I am 75 % finished, but I knew early on that it had the potential to become an all-time favorite. I think that is still true!

I picked up Dream Work by Mary Oliver this morning. It is her followup collection of poems to American Primitive. I am excited to read more from her.

Enough about me! What are you reading???