I have been so sick—still hunkered down. BUT I’ve been able to read some days.
Brawler (short stories) is not for the weak at heart. Stunning stories. I’m an ideal Groff reader.
Homeschooled (memoir). I hung in there because the book takes place in Plano, Texas, where I began teaching years ago. Kind of flat at the beginning, but the narrative grew more heart and layers later. So sad.
Stranger (marriage/divorce memoir). It’s everywhere. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. Beautiful, gut-wrenching. And Burden doesn’t skirt her wealth and privilege. And I liked the ospreys!
We Were the Kennedys (memoir). A beautiful memory of place (Mexico, Maine!) and time (the beginning of the end for northeast mill towns) and grief. So, so good.
@joyfulpeony They’re about to bloom! (I snuck them away from our Richland house—wish I had grabbed all the ones you gave me.) They remind me to pray for John and for you and for your sweet family and for the doctors and nurses and other people caring for John.
And now we’re five. When you feel a little stuck, just plunge in. And really, it’s the talk that follows: the oohing over babies, the excitement over house projects, the allowance of sadness, the continuing adventure of life. The laughter. Thanks, friends.
Atlas Bookshop book club pick: loved the first half, liked the second half. Loved the language. Bookended by the Black Sunday dust storm and Republican River flood, witchy, fabulous details mingle alongside the dust and social commentary. Bonus: I got these vintage chairs at Goodwill. Saw them, went home and texted my sister, went back and they were still there!
Almost a novel, almost a collection of short stories, this messy family story was a great read. (I’ve liked all of Goodman’s books!) A mix of humor and drama!
Special spring floral exhibit. I like wild branches! I also can appreciate something without liking it. (Don’t like red flowers, but that arrangement looked like a swept up hairstyle!) beautiful day in San Francisco! (And the dumplings were amazing!)
I picked up Elizabeth McCracken’s writing book: numbered observations, all the way from one sentence to over a page. I liked it! Then read one of her novels, The Hero of This Book. Meandering through a day in London and decades of life, the book is about mothers (and fathers) and quirkiness—and grief. Loved the language.
10 days, 2000 miles in New Mexico and SW Texas, in 10 pictures. 1. On the road from Santa Fe to Carlsbad, Cline’s Corner. A crossroads oasis. 2. We saw the UFO Museum, but this museum, the Anderson Museum of Modern Art, was beautiful. 3. Rock face at Guadalupe National Park. (We also went to Carlsbad Caverns.) 4. Toured McDonald’s Observatory! 5. Balancing Rock at Big Bend. (Does every mountain park have a balancing rock?) 6. Window Trail hike. Amazing. 7. The road outside of Marfa is a huge western set. 8. White Sands National Park. Looks like snow. 9. Highway 54 is lined with collapsing towns. This library speaks! 10. Bandelier National Monument with amazing Pueblo views. Not pictured: so many rock formations (!), clouds against vivid blue skies, new birds, and yummy tacos!
My algorithm circles toward death. Oof. Heartbreaking and sweet and infuriating—and sometimes funny. That last paragraph. (Oof.) Bonus: sun and moon at 4:30. Gloriously light! (Also: I checked so many books out of the library that I had to drop them off with Chris and his truck so I could walk up the hill!)
