Yes, I have been reading, but not blogging

So very sorry, but did not mention that I had read The Last Kind Words Saloon by Larry McMurtry.  I found this very interesting, pleasant, and insightful.  How about that Wild West!  Although it is imperative that I read Lonesome Dove in my life journey, now is not quite the time, so this light and elegant novel really made me happy.




Rather frenetically read Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, that was some kind of a thought experiment.  It helped me to understand a little bit more about being a woman, you know, in times of war, and also childbearing, that mystery that is beyond my comprehension.  I've learned that this is not actually a book to recommend to everybody, but I really don't want to be the only person in the whole wide world who has read it.  I doubt very seriously that my husband will read it, though in all fairness, I have not yet read Lonesome Dove.  Who knows what the future holds?




Just finished The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin.  This was a very pleasant read, for those of us that just love books.  Verily happily did I recommend it to an acquaintance who loves books, a Friend of the Library, who no longer holds the book sales in the basement, and is loathe to volunteer after having been notified that she is no longer allowed this territory of her favorite library, because the new director deemed the basement as unsafe, after a minor accident there.  I can't wait to hear what she thinks of this book.  The sci-fi that she recommends is usually too hard for me to read.


Right now my task is to figure out what to read next, even though I think that I had thought of something, though I honestly cannot remember what.  It was probably a self-help book anyway, and I try not to post about those that I read and/or skim.


Happy Holidays!

This is my take on The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt.  I did enjoy it, and admittedly I did fall in love with the beautifully drawn characters of Theo and Boris, and Hobie.  I felt much sympathy for Theo's love for Pippa, assuredly. And his dear friend family who took him in was lovable, too.

The only problem that I found with the novel was its great length, but when I finished it, it was with much satisfaction.  I can see how the book might be especially boring if the reader doesn't appreciate really impressive substance abuse, but as a significant part of the character's lives, it does read well.

So it's not a book for everybody, but it is right nice for me.

I am now completely enamored of Matthew Quick, whom you might know from The Silver Linings Playbook.  I very quickly and happily read, The Good Luck of Right Now, which is his latest.  What is so nice about this book is that it has incredibly quirky characters, that are also incredibly lovable.

Now I'm reading The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert.  It's pretty good, not too precious, and interesting, especially if one shares an interst in botany. 

Another book that I read and incredibly enjoyed recently was Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail by Louise Shivers.  What a treasure to read, and what a lovely lady who wrote it.  Although I was motivated to read the book by her recent passing, I'm glad that I was able to share this book with her, in my life. 

Well, that's enought blogging for today.  I hope that all is well.

Hi.  Sorry not to have posted for so long, but I just haven't really felt like saying anything.  Plus I'm hooked now on Goodreads.

In keeping with my fascination with the artistic temperament, I read two books that were just splendid.  Guests on Earth by Lee Smith is a tender book about a young lady who grows up in a mental health treatment center in North Carolina, whose life intercedes with another patient, Zelda Fitzgerald.  This is, of course, based in reality, though it is beautifully crafted fiction.  The narrator, Evalina, is perhaps the sweetest psych patient that is actually a gifted musician.  The title of the book comes from a quote by F. Scott about mental patients being, "guests on earth."  Funny, I know the feeling.

The other book that I super incredibly enjoyed was I Always Loved You by Robin Olivera, or maybe  Oliviera, I can't remember exactly, my bad.  This chronicled the love between Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas, which was wrought in a love for painting and mutual respect, though tempered by the romantic social constraints of the time.  It was a delight to read because of my new love for the French Impressionists, and because Mary Cassatt is so amazing, especially for her time.

OK so I left this as a draft for a long time, but I've been reading, and here's an update of a similar theme.  Just finished Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland, which also chronicled the lifestyle of a French Impressionist, Auguste Renoir.  This was a splendid, though at times ponderous read, that took me forever to finish, but had a very satisfying ending and inspired me to paint, for the love of it.  That's my take-away from the Impressionists, paint because you love it.  Degas, in fact told Cassatt, that she "paints love," and that was her strength.

These books made me so glad to be alive, despite difficulty, and have encouraged me to make art.  Granted, I'm still slow as molasses, but now the element of love is a part of my book selection and reading, and now as well of my painting.  I'll keep you posted on my next endeavors, though I think that my current book, The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt, might take me a little while to finish. 

Oh well, I love it. :)