72°f/22°C, again. Humid, light overcast. North of us had heavy storms yesterday, but nothing here, sadly.
When you think you're going to stay home and recover from a few days of hard work, then someone advertises a Hoosier-style cabinet for $40, what do you do? You get in the van and drive to Zanesville, Ohio. That was yesterday. Today? Getting that rest, I promise!
I finished my book, Circle of Grace, by Penelope J. Stokes, when we got home last night, and today I've started When We Believed in Mermaids, another by Barbara O'Neal.
Last week I read The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman, an eerie tale, as most of hers are, about three sisters who invent an imaginary land and their own language as well. Reality in the form of an abuser and a tragic attempt to save a horse push the oldest and leader of the sisters deeper into her imaginary world, which becomes a dark and painful place, and creates divisions between the girls. Their single mother tries and often fails to control her daughters as the girls go through their teen years. Drugs, promiscuity and self-hurt dominate the older sister's life as her two siblings each try to cope in their own way, watching helplessly as the oldest spirals deeper and deeper into chaos. I like Alice Hoffman's books usually, so I plowed on with this one even though the story was for the most part not a happy one. There were enough flashes of light and hope to keep me going. In the end, I was glad I had stuck with it. It is not a story I will soon forget.
Circle of Grace also explored relationships between women who met as college roommates and tried to continue their bond with a journal that passed from one to another. The four friends go separate ways and record their lives in the journal, but each keeps the truth of their lives out of the journal, and instead give a rose-colorded and often fictional accounting. When Grace discovers she has terminal cancer, she invites the group for a weekend at a luxury spa, where she plans to tell the sad truth of her life, and ask forgiveness for her lies. But each of the three others also has secrets, and each comes to the retreat intending to come clean. This was a good read, often touching, often reverberating with the truths of the lives of so many women.
I have noticed that I seldom read any book by a man. Why is that? It's not a conscious choice, but I guess I find the female perspective more relatable. I think the last book I read that was written by a make author was A Gentleman in Moscow, which i enjoyed very much. Maybe I should try to find others by me that I would enjoy.
Meanwhile, I am enjoying When We Believed in Mermaids so far--another tale of sisters' relationships with an intriguing plot: the unexpected sighting on TV news of the sister who was supposed to be dead.
I think I will spend most of today just reading. Sounds like a fine idea!
I am always delighted to know that people still read. Real books, too!
ReplyDeleteI listen sometimes, but did not enjoy reading books on a tablet. It felt like being on the computer, and I have enough of that already!
DeleteI like your book suggestions!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle!
DeleteI can't remember the last time I read an actual book. I do all my reading on a Kindle.
ReplyDeleteI tried that, Ann, but didn't enjoy it. I just like having a book in my hands. Feels like I am truly relaxing. The Kindle felt like I was working on the computer.
DeleteNice list of books.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda!
DeleteThose sound like very interesting books and I'll jot down the titles and hope to live long enough to read all the books I want to read.lol
ReplyDeleteI've become such a slow reader.
I certainly read more slowly now than I used to.
Delete...how do you do all that you do?
ReplyDeleteLike the tortoise, Tom! Slow and steady.
DeleteThe Alice Hoffman book sounds too dark for me, although I know she is a popular author, so she must spin a good tale. I'll look into the others. Thanks for the reviews. I'm always looking for my next book.
ReplyDeleteHoffman's books usually have supernatural or fantasy elements in them. My favorite of hers was the first one i read, Turtle Moon. But yes, her stories are often on the dark side. I haven't liked every one I have tried.
DeleteI have to echo Tom....how do you do all you do? I have hundreds of books but will confess I have become a listener.
ReplyDeleteI think listening counts! I listened to many, many books when I was commuting 100+ miles a day. I think that often the reader enhances the story for me. I still listen sometimes, when I am working around the house.
DeleteI've been reading more, too, as the weather is warmer and the A/C keeps me cool while I read. I mostly read mysteries.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interesting book reviews. Made me smile you going off to Ohio for your cabinet. Sounds like something I would do. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteCurrently reading The Correspondent for discussion at our book group first Wednesday in July. It was on the best seller list for months but I am not all that impressed with it. Something's missing. Not sure I could read the Hoffman book you read.
ReplyDelete