Thank you so much everyone for all of your sweet comments. I was smiling the whole time I was reading these (laughing at some) and of course taking note of your Summer reads. I think I need to print this out for when I need a little spark in my day I can read them again. A big hug to all of you!
So now, what? What have I been doing this week? Well, the heat is still leaving me like mush here. Yesterday we were up to 107. My energy has been really low but I’ve been doing my yoga and just trying to take it easy with some good reads.
Remember I mentioned I was weeding the stacks recently? Thanks to that I’ve unearthed a lot of books that have been hidden from me for a while and so a bit out of mind. Isn’t it funny how many books we are excited about but sometimes they get to our shelves and stay there for a while? I guess we can never keep up given that shiny, new books are being published all the time but it’s nice to go back to those older books that at one point we were just thrilled to have added to our libraries.
Anyway, the first book I’m reading is The Woman Who Painted Her Dreams by Isla Dewar. I’ve read one of her books before and really liked her women characters. Young women who are trying to find their path in life. I know, sounds like chick lit right? Well maybe not serious literature but these women characters care more for following their dreams than finding a good pair of shoes.
In this book Madeline has grown up without a mom but that didn’t seem to affect her. Her entire world was her dad and when he dies she doesn’t know what to do. She wants to paint but can she? Her dad, the artist, isn’t there to guide her anymore. Missteps, acceptance and all await Madeline as she learns to trust her instincts. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
My other read is The Keys to the Street by Ruth Rendell. I don’t know if it’s because I know what to expect from a Rendell novel that from the very beginning while she describes the neighborhood of London Regent’s park I just know that no matter how beautiful the scene is, danger and menace await.
Several characters have been described, the good, the bad and the strange so how she will bring them all together is what is making it hard for me to put down this novel. The main character, Mary Jago, has recently separated from her lover and is housesitting. He still wants to stay in her life but Mary is more interested in finding the man who’s life she saved via a bone marrow donation. Oh Mary, I think you are being a bit naive my dear but let’s see what happens to you.
Anyway, that’s what I’ve been doing. And, now I’m off to the bookstore with my husband. I’ve got a gift card to use and as I’m still in a celebratory mood with my blog’s anniversary then this is the perfect time to use that right? Hope everyone has a great weekend and more book talk soon.
107? It’s about 78 degrees right now in CA and I’m complaining. I could never survive that weather. I’m just a big baby!
I”ve never heard of Rendell so I’m adding her to my ever-growing TBR list. I know if I was to go over your blogiversary post, I’ll find dozens of books to add.
Have a great time at the bookstore.
Vasilly – Oh 78 sounds heavenly 🙂 I hope you check out Rendell. I’ve not read any of her Inspector Wexford books but her standalones are great. And, yes if you don’t want to add more books to the list don’t check the anniversary post – haha!
Ugh–107. That’s nasty. Stay cool–I hope you have good AC! 🙂 It’s fun finding books on your shelves that you had forgotten about. I sometimes think I need to do more browsing on my own shelves–and read more of my own unread book!! Is the Rendell a Wexford novel? I’ve never read any of the detective stories, but I bet I would like them. She does a great job of pulling the most unusual characters out of nowhere and linking them together. I’m about due for another of her books I think.
Here it isn’t the heat, it’s the humidity. It settles in about June and we are stuck until it starts snowing! Or, there is the rain. We have one, maybe two, nice days and then it starts raining again. They are predicting five days of rain starting tomorrow. Yuck!
I am determined this summer to pay attention to my bookshelves. They have been neglected the first part of the year, but there are a lot of them that I really want to read!
We’ve been hovering around 100, but I guess I should quit complaining!
Whew, does that sound hot! I hadn’t heard of this Rendell book. I’ll be waiting for your full review!
Iliana…
I have something for you.
http://bookwormsdinner.blogspot.com/2009/06/surprise-awards-for-me.html
Enjoy..Wisteria
These both sound really interesting and I’ll be looking forward to hearing your thoughts on them. Congrats on your blogversary 🙂
Danielle – We do have good AC. Thank goodness! And, no this isn’t one of her Wexford novels. You know, I’d really like to try one and see what those are like. I think the series has been pretty long running hasn’t it?
Kailana – Send me some of your rain will you? 🙂 I know what you mean about paying attention to the shelves. I have quite a few ARCs to go through but I am going to be taking my time with those. I really want to dig more into the books I’ve been accumulating over the years.
jenclair – Isn’t it awful? I would imagine that you guys have a lot of humidity too? I just want to keep drinking water and anything else that’s cold.
Tara – I finished it last night. It was not what I was expecting but not bad. It’s hard to go bad with any of her books!
Wisteria – Thank you bunches! You are too nice 🙂
Samantha – Thank you! I am almost finished with the Dewar book too so hopefully I’ll get motivated to write some reviews soon 🙂
I can’t believe I haven’t read a Rendell book…ever. She’s always been one of those authors that I just keep putting off for a later date.
Mike B. – One of my favorite Rendell books is The Bridesmaid. It’s been a long time since I read it but I remember being very surprised by it.