Books. How I love settling down with a good book. Occasionally I bring home a stack of books from the library and find them so-so. This stack was a winner. Okay, so The Christie Curse is not as engaging as the rest, but all in all, a fine stack of reading material.
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus is a young adult novel, but so very lovely that I am planning to get my own copy. The author was inspired by the Pevensie children in Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, and she created her own story of three children sent to the countryside from London in WWII. Here's a line that I thought charming, "The first words of a new book are so delicious - like the first taste of a cookie fresh from the oven and not yet properly cooled."
An Astronomer in Love by Antoine Laurain moves between modern day Paris and 1760 when Guillaume le Gentil sails from France to witness the astronomical event of the transit of Venus. Hopes are dashed, hopes are fulfilled in this story of finding love and making one's dreams come true.
Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen tells of secret longings, mistakes made, and changes effected all with a bit of magic realism. She writes of food in a way that makes me want to head to the kitchen and start cooking. Here's an example: "Lisette loved the flavors of old, simple recipes, ones made so often that their edges were worn down and they tasted soft and sure of themselves."
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods has even more magic in it, telling the tales of book and library lovers in the past century, and the cost of following one's dreams.
Our week's weather has alternated sun and cloud with very little rain. That is about to change as rainclouds gather and are expected to drench us this evening. In anticipation of the wet, I cut what is very likely the last bouquet of dahlias, now paler than they were in the heat of summer.
For dinner one evening I made a chicken and braised cabbage dish with a delicious mustard cream sauce. Warm comfort food. I found the recipe at the Modern Proper's Instagram site, but couldn't find it on their website.
This weekend I'll be turning the pages of what I fully expect to be a delicious new book - Louise Penny's latest, The Grey Wolf. The book arrived last week, but I disciplined myself to finish reading the stack from the library before beginning. Now I can indulge myself. Doesn't a good book sound like a treat on what's promising to be a rainy weekend?
After choosing a stack of library books that turned out not interesting I went to the thrift store and found 4 more to my liking. Your choices look good too. I'll be looking for that Kate Albus book.
ReplyDeleteYour Dahlias are still so lovely. GM
I loved the Lost Bookshop too. Will check out those other titles. Thank you. Faded dahlias are beautiful. I’m cutting my very last few. Always sad when they are gone. Have a lovely weekend. B x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers and delicious looking meal. My mother-in- law used to pick up a stack of books from the library and devour them. She was an avid reader. I go on kicks but most of my books are downloaded.
ReplyDeleteI loved The President's Hat and The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain so I must look out for this one. I have The Grey Wolf reserved at the library and I'm down to two in the queue so hopefully not much longer to wait. Your Dahlias are lovely, such pretty colours:)
ReplyDeleteChicken with braised cabbage and mustard cream sauce sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteThe Kate Albus book - A Place to Hang the Moon, will be added onto my list too.
Your Dahlias are just beautiful! I only grew one variety this year, a simple open flower. I recently read The Lost Bookshop. any book about books is usually very readable.
ReplyDeleteIt is a cozy by the fire day here with a good book in hand. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThat dish of food looks tasty and comforting. Enjoy Penny's latest!
ReplyDeleteAntoine Lurain -- I adore his books. I thought I'd read them all but I haven't read this one, so onto the list it goes. And I've heard a lot about the Lost Bookshop. That'll go there too. I'm trying to wait for The Gray Wolf -- whenever I finish a Louise Penny, I feel bereft, knowing there won't be another for another year or two!
ReplyDeleteI'm going right now to request the new Louise Penny book and get in the waiting list. I love to read and enjoy many of the same books that you like! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteYour stack of library books looks so inviting. Have fun reading Grey Wolf - it's another page turner. I just popped over to my library website and placed a hold on 'A Place to Hang the Moon', 'Lost Lake', and 'The Lost Bookshop'. Your chicken and braised cabbage dish looks delish! Happy weekend, Lorrie.
ReplyDeleteA good book is always enjoyable. Thanks for these recommendations. We had a historic deep snowstorm this week and I had pour fireplace lit and also a good book to read between shoveling our driveway. This week it should warm up again and melt.
ReplyDeleteI just love a good book! The food looks great and best wishes for a lovely Sunday now...
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I always see books I might like amongst the photos shared by bloggers and that is the case with your photo. I find I need to get through one book before I even think about another one. I admire readers like you! I hope you are finding your delicious new book very tasty!
ReplyDeleteI love pretty flowers, yummy meals and good books. Enjoy. Have a beautiful day.
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Now that the weekend has come and gone, I hope you enjoyed your reading time. A new book to curl up with sounds very enticing on a rainy day. Good idea to cut that bouquet of dahlias. They are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI concur that reading books is the perfect rainy day activity!
ReplyDeleteI have read Lost Lake and enjoy that author. I always love having a stack of books waiting to be read. Your dahlias are so very pretty. Meals definitely are changing with the season.
ReplyDeleteOK, why do I keep posting without my name.
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