I haven’t posted much since the holidays but it is snowing and the outlook is that we will be snowed in for at least three days (if not more).
We’ve both been baking. Me: apple butter donuts and sourdough crackers. The Hubs: sourdough bread and sourdough cinnamon rolls. Soups and stews are on the menu, too.
So, I decided to take a moment and just update what I’ve been reading lately. This list is only in a backwards chronological order.
Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons.
I swear that when I was teaching English, there was a short story by Siddons in our sophomore English book. I’ve done a few searches but I cannot spark my memory (and I taught English II a hundred years ago). Regardless, that’s why I picked up this book—because I hadn’t read anything (potentially) by her for thirty years.
Off Season is a rambling tale. The narrator loses her husband suddenly and this prompts her to think back to idyllic days on the Maine coast and the family’s summer home which leads her through her entire childhood and other family tragedies. I really enjoyed this book…until I got to the end. That’s all I’m going to say about that.
Just Kids by Patti Smith (Audio Book)
I’ve been listening to Wiser Than Me, Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ podcast. If you haven’t listened in, you must as soon as you are able. Julia is hilarious but also very insightful as she interviews women of a certain age. She had Patti Smith on and I immediately picked up her memoir about her early life in NYC and with Robert Mapplethorpe. I really thought this book had just been published! (It was published in 2010.)
The audiobook is read by Smith herself which may have given even more introspection and life to the book. I’m not sure if I were reading it myself if I would have stuck with it without Patti’s voice. Sometimes, though, her New Jersey accent was a bit annoying (“drawling”) and sometimes when she mimicked Robert’s voice calling her “Paaatttii,” I rolled my eyes a bit….
But, she does draw a true picture of what NYC was like in the 70s and 80s. At times, I wondered how she and Robert survived those early days. I honestly doubt they would have without each other. It’s also interesting to listen to her describe her muses (Rimbaud for sure), Robert and her artistic avenues.
The Last Father-Daughter Dance: A Short Story by Lisa Wingate
I have friends that love Lisa Wingate (and one even went to college with her) so when I saw this short story pop up on Kindle Unlimited, I checked it out.
It’s kind of a tear jerker but does have that uncomfortable humor like laughing at your own family drama.
I could totally see where this would go if Wingate decided to add to the tale for a novel. It’s also sparked me to perhaps check out some of her other work.
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
The Alice Network and its plot reminded me a bit of The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah.
I did enjoy the back and forth narratives between WWI and WWII and how women were instrumental in the intelligence field and risking all to help the cause. I had never really thought about WWI and how intrepid women figured into that history.
Would recommend. The only issue I had was just how young Charley was. Her character showed such fortitude and resolve for an 18-19 year-old.
Piglet by Lottie Hazell
Piglet has been on my to-read list since I saw it on a foodie-novel list last year. I devoured this book (pun intended).
Know that this book could trigger some. It deals with infidelity, eating disorders, and self-image issues. The overuse of the main character’s nickname, Piglet, by her family and friends is a bit cringe-worthy (but tells us a lot about said family and friends).
I like that Hazell never really fully describes Pippa (the character’s real name) as to her real size. It really doesn’t matter. In fact, I bet Pippa could easily be a young woman who is a size 12 (US) which is not really overweight at all. Her family has just conditioned her to seeing herself as a piglet.
I would seek out more by Hazell when she writes more. I’ve recommended Piglet for the February selection for Lit Happens.
Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen
I read a lot of Rhys Bowen once upon a time. Then I just quit because, as I recall, I started finding her plots a bit trite. Some might say that Mrs. Endicott’s adventure and plot might be a bit predictable, but I enjoyed this tale of women finding empowerment in friendship, taking risks, and living life. WWII is the backdrop for this tale and how evil can still invade a tranquil, beautiful seaside town.
I enjoyed this book and it was a quick read.
The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano
Catalano sets this novel in Puritan colonial Boston, a world that I thought I knew. The author draws a picture of those that were NOT in the majority of strict Puritan rule, those that were allowed to live on the fringe (if they still attended church). The tale is based on a true story and is told from her surviving husband’s point of view.
Women of a different temperament or women with ambition and intelligent women who were not afraid to speak their mind were all persecuted during this historical time in Massachusetts. Margaret is a healer who doesn’t discriminate and doesn’t hesitate to tell her patients when they are being ignorant. Couple her personality with the aftermath of a personal tragedy, and Margaret is labeled a witch.
Catalano tells the tale with an honest voice and even though the POV is the husband’s, she presents him as a reliable narrator.
So what’s my favorite books in this list? Probably Piglet followed by The First Witch of Boston but I did enjoy listening to Smith read Just Kids.
Seriously though, listen to Louis-Dreyfus’ podcast. I had to stop in the middle of her conversation with Annie Lamott to pick up All New People.
I may continue to post recent reads. Please let me know if you’ve read any of these selections and what you thought.
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