I hope you’ve all had a wonderful weekend. I celebrated a big birthday (50!) on Friday so we decided to take a little trip. We spent a couple of days in Bastrop and went for a nice hike in Bastrop State Park on Saturday. Several years ago about 96% of the park was affected by wildfires but due to all the conservation efforts there are lots of signs of re-growth. I loved encountering different wildflowers and loved seeing/hearing so many birds. Of course by the time we were done with our three hour hike we were desperately in need of A/C and cold water. It is hot in Texas already.
But moving on to the books. I’ve been meaning to tell you about these books that arrived in my mailbox. I am excited about these and think I’ll enjoy them.
Everything That Follows by Meg Little Reilly. A novel of moral complexity about friends who must choose between self-preservation and doing the right thing in the wake of a fatal boating accident. Set in the moody off-season of Martha’s Vineyard. If you are going to a beach this summer this might be the book to take with you. I won’t be going to a beach but I can dream with this setting right?
In the Distance With You by Carla Guelfenbein. Vera Sigall, now eighty years old, has lived a mysterious, ascetic life far from the limelight of literary circles. This powerful character has a profound effect on those around her. Spanning from modern-day Chile to the 1950s, ’60s and through the years of the Pinochet dictatorship, the novel reveals successive mysteries and discoveries.
The Crossing by Jason Mott. Twins Virginia and Tommy have been on their own since they were orphaned at the age of five, surviving a merciless foster care system by relying on each other. Twelve years later, the world begins to collapse around them as a deadly contagion steadily wipes out entire populations and a devastating world war rages on.
Very different books but all three sound interesting. What do you think?
First of all, a very happy birthday to you, Iliana! Sounds like you guys celebrated in a great way. And wow, you were hiking this weekend – it was definitely hot – a little too hot for early June. How did we go from a cool spring right into major hot. It’s too humid yet for that. The books look good, but I think that Everything That Follows catches my eye the most. Have a good week!
Happy Birthday, Iliana! Glad you enjoyed your trip to the state park, but can certainly imagine the need for ac after hiking in this heat. We are mid-summer hot here and have been for the last week. Working up to a 100 degrees tomorrow with no rain in sight.
Happy Birthday! I hope your birthday was wonderful!
Happy Birthday!! Hope it was awesome.
And I totally want to read The Crossing. 🙂
Happy birthday, Iliana! It sounds like a wonderful celebration. : )
Kay – Thank you so much! We had a good time but definitely our trail shoes are put away until the fall. Way too hot now right? I’m ready for November 🙂
Jenclair – Thank you 🙂 I am not sure if we’ve already hit 100 but it certainly feels like it. I don’t think we have any rain in our forecast either and I think our garden already needs it!
Angela – Thank you! It was but I somehow didn’t get any cake. Maybe I can make up for it this weekend 🙂
Lark – Thank you! It was a lot of fun and relaxing so that’s a great thing!
Unruly Reader – Thank you! I think it’s a great way to be in nature and feeling renewed! 🙂
Sounds like a great way to spend a birthday — happy birthday! And good book mail too, I’m glad you have some exciting titles to look forward to reading.
Happy belated birthday! Sounds like you had a great celebration! And I see you didn’t get any cake. Yes, you definitely have to make up for that!
Happy 50th! How inspiring to see that the park is recovering/renewing from the fire. That seems a fitting message at this stage in life!
All three books sound good but I’m most intrigued by the idea of the Chilean artist. Are you still reading World Lit for international fiction ideas?
Happy Birthday!
I checked out the link to the state park. Looks nice. Too bad it’s a little far for me.
Happy Birthday sounds like you had a fantastic weekend! I hope you received some bookish gifts, though it looks like you had a few other treats come in the mail, too!