Marg, your comment about the difficulty of navigating between the daily drumbeat of bad news and our need for beauty and joy is so apt. I feel that divide in my life and in my writing, often asking myself how I dare to write so much about my travels and baking experiments when the world is in such peril. Yet, how do we not strive to find happiness and to share it? To seek joy is human. We all need escape, even as we try to do what we can to make the world better in whatever small ways we can (though it never seems enough).
You spread joy when you recommend books and recipes and share entertaining aspects of your life and thoughts (like Rothko toast and musical interludes!). I appreciate your reading recommendations, often books I might not read otherwise, yet enjoy when I do. I just ordered the Annabel Abbs book and will also check out the one from Elizabeth Strout. I'm a little ashamed to say I haven't read any of her books, though I do have one I picked up long ago and never got around to reading--The Burgess Boys.
Hello my friend and thank you for your lovely comments. I agree that we should share our joy, if only to brighten up the lives of those around us. What could be nicer than helping someone feel a little bit better about the world?
I love reading about your travels and recipes and never feel as though you are turning your back on the perils of the world. Your basic humanity and care for others shines through in your writing and this is what stands out, so please keep writing and sharing.
Glad to hear you have the Annabel Abbs book on order, I'm fascinated to know what you think. Hope to see you at book club.
I've only read one of her books and I loved the spare, unemotional way of writing. I am 22nd on the reserve list for this one so don't know how soon I will get it.
I was on the reserve list for ages (around six months) but when you do get to read it, I'd love to know what you think. I agree with your description of her writing, very matter of fact. It makes her easy to read.
I hope I didn't give the impression that I have read all her books - far from it - but I do like the ones I've read. I think the themes resonate with women of a certain age (that's you and me). She is almost exactly the same age as me, born in the same year and month, so I guess that means we are thinking about similar issues.
I didn't realize how many books she's written! I stopped after Olive Kittridge, My Name Is Lucy Barton, The Burgess Boys, and Amy and Isabel (I think I read those ones). Anyway, at a certain point, one has to go read other authors, but your review reminded me that I've always like her books and that it's been a while since I thought of getting back to her.
Margaret, such fun stuff you always share. It brightens my day. Thankyou!
Marg, your comment about the difficulty of navigating between the daily drumbeat of bad news and our need for beauty and joy is so apt. I feel that divide in my life and in my writing, often asking myself how I dare to write so much about my travels and baking experiments when the world is in such peril. Yet, how do we not strive to find happiness and to share it? To seek joy is human. We all need escape, even as we try to do what we can to make the world better in whatever small ways we can (though it never seems enough).
You spread joy when you recommend books and recipes and share entertaining aspects of your life and thoughts (like Rothko toast and musical interludes!). I appreciate your reading recommendations, often books I might not read otherwise, yet enjoy when I do. I just ordered the Annabel Abbs book and will also check out the one from Elizabeth Strout. I'm a little ashamed to say I haven't read any of her books, though I do have one I picked up long ago and never got around to reading--The Burgess Boys.
Hello my friend and thank you for your lovely comments. I agree that we should share our joy, if only to brighten up the lives of those around us. What could be nicer than helping someone feel a little bit better about the world?
I love reading about your travels and recipes and never feel as though you are turning your back on the perils of the world. Your basic humanity and care for others shines through in your writing and this is what stands out, so please keep writing and sharing.
Glad to hear you have the Annabel Abbs book on order, I'm fascinated to know what you think. Hope to see you at book club.
I've only read one of her books and I loved the spare, unemotional way of writing. I am 22nd on the reserve list for this one so don't know how soon I will get it.
I was on the reserve list for ages (around six months) but when you do get to read it, I'd love to know what you think. I agree with your description of her writing, very matter of fact. It makes her easy to read.
You’ve convinced me I will request the book.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
It's time for me to read another Elizabeth Strout. I've always liked her.
I hope I didn't give the impression that I have read all her books - far from it - but I do like the ones I've read. I think the themes resonate with women of a certain age (that's you and me). She is almost exactly the same age as me, born in the same year and month, so I guess that means we are thinking about similar issues.
I didn't realize how many books she's written! I stopped after Olive Kittridge, My Name Is Lucy Barton, The Burgess Boys, and Amy and Isabel (I think I read those ones). Anyway, at a certain point, one has to go read other authors, but your review reminded me that I've always like her books and that it's been a while since I thought of getting back to her.