It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It was a slow week for reading, as I've been busy preparing for our three-week-long road trip to Northern California. I've also been trying to get caught up on my travel posts and I've just about finished with our Olympic Peninsula trip, which we took last fall. At this rate, you probably won't see any posts for our upcoming trip until Christmastime!

In spite of all the preparations, I did manage to finish one book last week, but it was a dud. I'll share more about it in my review, but suffice it to say that the only book that I have really cared for by Ian McEwan is Atonement. I've read several others of his and none have impressed me in the least. I thought On Chesil Beach would be worthwhile, especially with the movie coming out this year, but the only thing it had going for it was its page count. Had it been any longer, I would have pitched it against the wall and moved on to something else. 

When I did finish, I eagerly picked up a library copy of The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn. WOW! If I weren't so distracted with the travel plans, I could have easily curled up with this psychological thriller and read it from cover to cover in a single day. I love this sort of mystery/thriller and I can even overlook the overdone "main character who drinks at least two bottles of wine a day, plus self-medicates with a variety of pills, and may or may not be a reliable narrator," as we've seen in so many of these books since Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train. I need to hurry up and finish the book so I can get it back to the library before we leave, although I found out the other day that my local library does not charge overdue fines! They do have a small box for "guilty donations," but there is no charge to keep a book past its due date. Amazing.

What about you? Are you reading anything wonderful?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (#IMWAYR) is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It’s a place to meet up and share what you have been, are, and about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever-growing TBR pile! This meme started with J Kaye’s Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at Book Date.

Last Week's Posts:

Wordless Wednesday - Lunch with a Blogmate!

Olympic Peninsula Trip - Dosewallips State Park

Escape Travels 2017 (ongoing links - also found at the top of my side bar)

Looking Back - Joy School by Elizabeth Berg

The Fortunate Ones by Ellen Umansky

The Fortunate Ones

The Fortunate Ones by Ellen Umansky
Fiction
2017 William Morrow
Finished on July 21, 2017
Rating: 3.5/5 (Good)

Publisher's Blurb:

It is 1939 in Vienna, and as the specter of war darkens Europe, Rose Zimmer's parents are desperate.

Unable to get out of Austria, they manage to secure passage for their young daughter on a kindertransport, and send her to live with strangers in England.

When the war finally ends, Rose attempts to build a life for herself alone in London. Grief-stricken, she cannot help but search for one piece of her childhood: the Chaim Soutine painting her mother had cherished.

Many years later, the painting finds its way to America. In modern-day Los Angeles, Lizzie Goldstein also carries a burden of the guilt that cannot be displaced. Years ago, the Soutine painting was stolen from her childhood home, on an evening in which Lizzie's actions had unexpected but far-reaching consequences.

This painting will bring Lizzie and Rose together and ignite an unexpected friendship, eventually revealing long-held secrets and painful truths. Spanning decades and unfolding in crystalline, atmospheric prose, The Fortunate Ones is a haunting story of longing, devastation, and forgiveness, and a deep examination of the bonds and desires that map our private histories.

I haven't read much about the kindertransport, but I can imagine how heartbreaking to was for the parents to send their children to England knowing they may never see them again. While reading about this rescue effort, I came upon an HBO documentary that I'd like to watch.

50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. and Mrs. Kraus tells of a Philadelphia couple’s liberation of 50 Jewish children from 1939 Austria. Sounds fascinating!

I would also like to read Into the Arms of Strangers by Mark Jonathan Harris and Deborah Oppenheimer, although it may prove to be overwhelmingly sad.

As with many historical novels with dual timelines and narratives, I enjoyed the wartime storyline more than that of the present day. It took me a long time to really get engrossed in this novel, but I wound up enjoying the last part of the book, making it a worthwhile read. The Fortunate Ones may not have been a great novel, but it has certainly inspired me to learn more about this particular aspect of the war.

Click here to learn more about Chaim Soutine, as well as the kindertransport.

Looking Back - Joy School

Looking Back... In an effort to transfer my book journal entries over to this blog, I'm going to attempt to post (in chronological order) an entry every Friday. I may or may not add extra commentary to what I jotted down in these journals.

Joy School by Elizabeth Berg
Katie Nash Trilogy #2
Fiction
1997 Random House
Finished on August 26, 1997 and May 19, 2002
Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)

Publisher's Blurb:

In this exquisite new novel by bestselling writer Elizabeth Berg, a young woman falls in love -- and learns how sorrow can lead to an understanding of joy.

Katie, the narrator, has relocated to Missouri with her distant, occasionally abusive father, and she feels very much alone: her much-loved mother is dead; her new school is unaccepting of her; and her only friends fall far short of being ideal companions. When she accidentally falls through the ice while skating, she meets Jimmy. He is handsome, far older than she, and married, but she is entranced. As their relationship unfolds, so too does Katie's awareness of the pain and intensity first love can bring.

Beautifully written in Berg's irresistible voice, Joy School portrays the soaring happiness of real love, the deep despair one can feel when it goes unrequited, and the stubbornness of hope that will not let us let go. Here also is recognition that love can come in many forms and offer many different things. Joy School illuminates, too, how the things that hurt the most can sometimes teach us the lessons that really matter.

About Durable Goods, Elizabeth Berg's first novel, Andre Dubus said, "Elizabeth Berg writes with humor and a big heart about resilience, loneliness, love and hope. And the transcendence that redeems." The same will be said of Joy School, Elizabeth Berg's most luminous novel to date.

My Original Notes (1997):

What an enjoyable novel! I loved the story and couldn't put it down. Berg is a wonderful writer and I've enjoyed so many of her other books, especially Talk Before Sleep. I'll look forward to reading these both again in a few years.

My Current Thoughts:

I don't know if I ever reread this or not, but it looks like it only took me a couple of days to read it the first time around, so I may give it another go. I'll read Durable Goods again, though, since that's the first in the Katie Nash trilogy.

Update in 2025:

Yes, it looks like a read this a second time in 2002. Same rating of 4/5 stars.

Escape Travels 2017

I plan to update this on-going list as new posts are published.

Road Trip to Chilliwack, British Columbia - Day One & Two - July 30 & 31

Chilliwack, British Columbia - Day Three & Four - August 1 & 2

Lynden, WA KOA - August 3

Interior Shots of Our New Escape 19

Lynden, WA KOA - August 4

The Arboretum in Cinebar, WA - August 5

The Arboretum in Cinebar, WA - August 6

Astoria, OR and The Blue Heron French Cheese Company in Tillamock, OR - August 7

Olympic Peninsula Trip, Fort Stevens State Park, OR - September 17

Quinault River Inn, Amanda Park, WA - September 18

Lake Quinault Lodge; Quinault Rain Forest, WA - September 19

Olympic National Park - Maple Glade Rain Forest Trail, WA - September 20

Olympic National Park - Kestner Homestead Trail, WA - September 20

Quinault Rain Forest - World's Largest Sitka Spruce & Merriman Falls, WA - September 20

Forks, WA - Riverview RV Park - September 21

Olympic National Park - Hoh Rain Forest, WA - September 22

La Push and Second Beach, WA - September 23

Rialto Beach, WA - September 23

Port Townsend, WA - Point Hudson Marina and RV Park - September 24

Port Townsend, WA - September 25

Port Townsend, WA (Part One) - September 26

Port Townsend, WA (Part Two) - September 26

Port Townsend, WA (Part Three) - September 26

Dosewallips State Park, WA (Day One) - September 27

Dosewallips State Park, WA - Day Two (Part One) - September 28

Dosewallips State Park, WA - Day Two (Part Two) - September 28

Dosewallips State Park, WA - Day Two (Wildlife) - September 28

Dosewallips State Park, WA - Day Two (More Wildlife) - September 28

Dosewallips State Park, WA - Day Three - September 29

Fort Stevens State Park, OR - September 30

Fort Stevens State Park, OR - October 1

The Family

Bandon, OR - October 22

Bandon, OR - October 23

Bandon, OR - October 24

Bandon, OR - October 25

Bandon, OR - October 26

Bandon, OR - October 27 & 28

Olympic Peninsula Trip - Day Eleven

Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Port Townsend, WA to Brinnon, WA
Distance: 40 miles
Campground: Dosewallips State Park
Cost per Night: $35
Site #5
Duration: 3 nights
Departure Weather: 70 degrees and sunny

We had another pretty sunrise over the mountains. It was such a serene morning, sitting by the water, listening to gentle sound of the waves lapping against the rocks. What a life!

Mount Baker was much more visible than previous days.

Mount Rainier is showing her glory, too.

The fall colors were just beginning to appear and the morning light on the marina and the buildings in town was so beautiful. Is there a morning "golden hour?"

I really didn't want to leave this lovely area! The view from our bed was almost perfect. Next time, we'll try to get a spot closer to the shore (or turn our trailer so the dinette faces the water).

There's Mount Baker!

The drive was very quick, taking only an hour. The fall colors were so pretty, but next year we should try to arrive a week later in order to see them in their full glory. We never go very far without making a stop to admire the view! 

Or get shots of the cute trailer, manly truck and handsome husband. :)

We arrived at our campsite, which was situated at the far end of the campground, on a loop with five RV sites and five small cabins. The asphalt-paved sites have a generous amount of space between one another and the campground is full of trees and shrubbery, providing plenty of shade. We loved our site since we didn't have anyone behind us and had a nice grassy area, backing up to a dry creek bed, as well as the pad for the picnic table. We also had a fire ring (a bundle of wood & kindling was available to purchase for $6 at the ranger station), which we used every night. The road into the park was right behind us and Hwy. 101 was alongside our loop, but we weren't bothered by the road noise. It was actually fun to watch the new arrivals driving into the park, giving us a chance to check out all the various RVs & travel trailers. Our very level site was equipped with water and power and the dump station was nearby, behind the ranger station. The restrooms and token-operated showers were within walking distance and very clean. 

We arrived mid-week, so there were lots of empty sites and the campground was very peaceful. The night before we departed, the park filled up with a lot of people getting away for the weekend and we noticed a lot more children. It still wasn't noisy and it was fun to watch the little kids riding their bikes around the park. With a very slow speed limit, it's a perfect place for kids to play and ride. Quiet hours are 10:00 pm to 6:30 am and generator hours are 8:00 am to 9:00 pm. 

After getting settled, we walked down to the Dosewallips River. I spotted an eagle nest up in one of the trees, but it was empty. I made a mental note to return with the Olympus camera on my return walk.

The salmon were spawning and there were dozens of the dead fish all along the shore. It smelled terrible and was rather depressing. Neither Rod or I had ever seen salmon spawning, but it's their life cycle and just part of nature. Thankfully, our campsite was far enough away so we weren't bothered by the nasty odor!

You can't see it, but there was a fair amount of elk poop in the grassy area behind our site. Apparently, there's a resident herd of Roosevelt Elk that we were hoping to see during our visit.

Note: Those are just small pine cones in the foreground. :)

Pretty sweet spot with my dad and stepmom camping beside us with their Airstream motorhome (and cute little Smartcar).

Our home away from home. Life is good!

Wordless Wednesday

McMinnville, Oregon

March 2018

A wonderful lunch date with a blogmate (Robin @ A Fondness for Reading)!

For more Wordless Wednesday, click here.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Well, I managed to finish two books this week. I loved both of them and will eventually get reviews posted, but for now just know that they are both winners. This Is How It Always Is will wind up on my Top Ten list for the year and The Soul of the Octopus is sure to make the Honorable Mention list. 

After I finished Frankel's outstanding novel, I picked up On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan. It's a slim book and one that I've been meaning to read for several years. When I discovered that the movie is due out later this year, I decided it was time to read the novel. I began very late last night and was immediately pulled into the story. I do so love McEwan's writing!

I'm still enjoying The Great Alone (on audio), but only listened for a little bit this past week while I was out running errands. I'm really hoping that once the weather improves, I'll get outside for longer walks so I can fit in more listening time. I miss listening to books on a regular basis and this one is really holding my interest.

What about you? Are you reading anything wonderful?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (#IMWAYR) is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It’s a place to meet up and share what you have been, are, and about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever-growing TBR pile! This meme started with J Kaye’s Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at Book Date.

Last Week's Posts: 

Wordless Wednesday - Yaquina Bay Bridge

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Looking Back - Bird by Bird

Looking Back - Bird by Bird

Looking Back... In an effort to transfer my book journal entries over to this blog, I'm going to attempt to post (in chronological order) an entry every Friday. I may or may not add extra commentary to what I jotted down in these journals.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Nonfiction
1995 Anchor (first published January 1st 1994)
Finished in August 1997
Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)

Publisher's Blurb:

"Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he'd had three months to write. [It] was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said. 'Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.'"

With this basic instruction always in mind, Anne Lamott returns to offer us a new gift: a step-by-step guide on how to write and on how to manage the writer's life. From "Getting Started,' with "Short Assignments," through "Shitty First Drafts," "Character," "Plot," "Dialogue." all the way from "False Starts" to "How Do You Know When You're Done?" Lamott encourages, instructs, and inspires. She discusses "Writers Block," "Writing Groups," and "Publication." Bracingly honest, she is also one of the funniest people alive.

If you have ever wondered what it takes to be a writer, what it means to be a writer, what the contents of your school lunches said about what your parents were really like, this book is for you. From faith, love, and grace to pain, jealousy, and fear, Lamott insists that you keep your eyes open, and then shows you how to survive. And always, from the life of the artist she turns to the art of life.

My Original Notes (1997):

A very funny book! "Some instructions on writing life." I enjoyed it for the most part, especially when she talked about how to write about your family and history. I'm not interested in writing a novel for publication, however, Bird by Bird is still very enjoyable. Laugh out loud funny. Rod also read it and kept laughing. Makes me want to sit at my computer and write about my life.

My Current Thoughts:

This is one that I'd like to read again. I've read a few others of Lamott's and she can be a bit crass, but I like her messages. I'll have to remember this one when I'm in need of a good laugh.

Homegoing

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Fiction
2016 Alfred A. Knopf
Finished on July 5, 2017
Rating: 2/5 (Fair)

Publisher's Blurb:

A novel of breathtaking sweep and emotional power that traces three hundred years in Ghana and along the way also becomes a truly great American novel. Extraordinary for its exquisite language, its implacable sorrow, its soaring beauty, and for its monumental portrait of the forces that shape families and nations, Homegoing heralds the arrival of a major new voice in contemporary fiction.

Two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, are born into different villages in eighteenth-century Ghana. Effia is married off to an Englishman and lives in comfort in the palatial rooms of Cape Coast Castle. Unbeknownst to Effia, her sister, Esi, is imprisoned beneath her in the castle's dungeons, sold with thousands of others into the Gold Coast's booming slave trade, and shipped off to America, where her children and grandchildren will be raised in slavery. One thread of Homegoing follows Effia's descendants through centuries of warfare in Ghana, as the Fante and Asante nations wrestle with the slave trade and British colonization. The other thread follows Esi and her children into America. From the plantations of the South to the Civil War and the Great Migration, from the coal mines of Pratt City, Alabama, to the jazz clubs and dope houses of twentieth-century Harlem, right up through the present day, Homegoing makes history visceral, and captures, with singular and stunning immediacy, how the memory of captivity came to be inscribed in the soul of a nation.

Generation after generation, Yaa Gyasi's magisterial first novel sets the fate of the individual against the obliterating movements of time, delivering unforgettable characters whose lives were shaped by historical forces beyond their control. Homegoing is a tremendous reading experience, not to be missed, by an astonishingly gifted young writer.

I read Homegoing for my new book club here in Oregon and had I read it simply for my personal enjoyment, I don't think I would've finished (or even read past page 50). The structure of the book deals with two branches of one family for a total of seven generations. Each chapter reads like a short story and while they are all loosely connected, there is no sense of cohesiveness when one reaches the final page. There were a few chapters that I enjoyed more than others and I found myself wishing for more time with those characters, but they disappeared once their chapter concluded. Maybe this would be a good book to read in a literature class, but I was confused about who was who and how they were related to the people in previous chapters. 

The members of my book group were somewhat divided about their reaction to the book and although we had a decent discussion, there were a few who didn't chime in and I wonder if they even read the book. One member said she read one side of the family's story first, then went back and read the other side's story. She said it was less confusing that way.

Homegoing was less than satisfying, but I am in the minority as it has received numerous awards and was a favorite with a lot of my blogging friends.

American Book Award (2017), PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize Nominee for Shortlist (2017), Audie Award for Literary Fiction & Classics (2017), Dylan Thomas Prize Nominee for Longlist (2017), National Book Critics Circle Award for John Leonard Prize (2016), The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize Nominee for Shortlist (2016), Andrew Carnegie Medal Nominee for Fiction (2017), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Historical Fiction (2016), Alabama Author Award - Fiction (2017).

Wordless Wednesday

Yaquina Bay Bridge

Newport, Oregon

March, 2018

For more Wordless Wednesday, click here.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

I don't know about you guys, but last week flew! Honestly, where did the time go?!

I didn't finish a single book, but I'm getting close to the end of The Soul of an Octopus. I'll probably finish just in time for my book club meeting on Thursday. 

I was able to renew my library copy of This Is How It Always Is, which made me very happy since it's such a wonderful book and I'd really hate to have to return it without finishing. (I'd probably wind up ordering it online so I could continue reading. Did I mention how good it is??)

I haven't had much time to listen to my audio book (The Great Alone), but I've enjoyed what I've listened to so far. Now that the weather is improving, I should be able to start walking outside again, which means more listening time.

What about you? Are you reading anything wonderful?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (#IMWAYR) is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It’s a place to meet up and share what you have been, are, and about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever-growing TBR pile! This meme started with J Kaye’s Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at Book Date.

Last Week's Posts: 

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald

Wordless Wednesday - Boiler Bay

A Month in Summary - February 2018

Looking Back - Refuge