by Kat | Sep 3, 2018 | General, Words
…or, my five-ish best reads of the summer!
For me, this was truly the Summer of Reading (Thank you, Mary for organizing another amazing Summer Book Bingo!)
This summer hearkened back to the days of my childhood and the joy and excitement that was summer reading. Growing up as a child, we had little money and we did not take vacations, so for me a good book would take me far away!
And, that was how I spent this summer – miles and miles away inside the pages of the books I read. It was a wonderful summer with 50 books and 2 Bingo Cover All’s! But, not all books are equal, and I thought a great way to wrap up the summer would be to highlight 5 books that I don’t think you should miss! And, if you have not read them – these are books that I would urge you to read and soon!
Number one on my list is Warlight by Michael Ondaatje in post-WWII London. I truly loved this story and I loved how Ondaatje told it. His way with words is masterful and his characters are so memorable! I truly hope that this book will win the Man Booker Prize this year. It is most worthy, in my opinion!
My second favorite book of the summer was The House at the Edge of Night by Catherine Banner. This book drew me in from the first page with a line from Derek Walcot’s poem Islands: But, islands can only exist. If we have loved in them. And, so I spent a good number of days on the island Castellamare falling in love with it and the Esposito family. I truly did not want this book to end!
Coming in third was The Magicians Trilogy by Lev Grossman. And, yes, I read all three books this summer because spending time in Brakebills and Fillory was so exciting! And, while I thought book two was not quite as good as books one and three, this series has stayed with me and the final book was just amazing and how Grossman wrapped up this series was spectacular and I highly recommend it! (After note… did you know there is a SYFY series about these books?? Yeah, I did not either and you can find seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix)
I was fortunate to be able to fit a good number of Louise Penny’s books with Armand Gamache in Three Pines on my cards (three this summer) and I am going to lump them (The Nature of the Beast, A Great Reckoning, and Glass Houses) together in fourth place. You can never go wrong with Armand!
Finally, I am at the truly hard choice of picking a final book to bring this summer to a close, and I have thought about this long and hard as to which book I will put on this Best of Summer list. It was not an easy choice because I read so many amazing books this summer. But, in the end Paris in the Present Tense by Mark Helprin gets the final spot. And, really… spending time in Paris this summer was not painful at all! This book was so much more than I expected and it made me laugh, it made me cry, and I fell in love with Jules Lacour! This book easily gets 5 stars!!
You can see my entire list of summer reads here.
Happy Labor Day everyone!
by Kat | Aug 30, 2018 | General, Words
Today it’s all about things on PBS you don’t want to miss!
Thing One
PBS has partnered with Chef Marcus Samuelsson in No Passport Required. The series follows Chef Samuelsson on his journey to some amazing cities across the US highlighting its unique immigrant culture. It comes at the most perfect time as well, this is the America I love living in… rich, diverse, and so delicious! I highly recommend it!
Thing Two
The Great American Read returns September 11 when America’s best-loved novel will be revealed! Have you voted yet? There is still time!
Thing Three
Finally, The Miniaturist debuts in September (at least at my PBS affiliate) and I am so looking forward to it!
There you have my things for this last Thursday in August! Want to see more, then head on over to Carole’s!
by Kat | Aug 16, 2018 | General, Words
My triumvirate today is all about the power of the written word.
Thing One:
Last week The Boston Globe sent out the call and today, approximately 350 newspaper have answered by publishing editorials in support of a free press, decrying the Orange Ogre’s attacks against the media. You will find them here by state; their words are powerful and true.
Thing Two:
Maddow shared how important spelling is. I admit to laughing but I was not really surprised at all but the spelling is epic…so epic!
Thing Three:
This August seems to be completely fulfilling Derek Walcott’s spectacular poem: Dark August.
There you have my things for today. Want to see more things? Head on over to Carole’s!
by Kat | Aug 14, 2018 | General, Words
It seems unreal to me that August is almost halfway over. The big bees seem to know though and this morning I woke to find the first overnight guest of the season. Yes, this large bee spent the night in the butterfly bush and, even though I am trying desperately to slow down time, waking to find this bee is certainly the best way to start the day.
I hope your day is full of lovely surprises, too!
by Kat | Aug 9, 2018 | General, Words
Happy Thursday everyone! (and it is especially happy here! Yesterday, the post office delivered the loveliest of packages for me!
Last month, Bridget had a fun Christmas in July Give Away on her blog and I was one of the lucky recipients! It is almost as if this package was put together just for me, because it is simply perfect!
Thing One:
Alabama Stitch Book by Natalie Chanin! Oh, my! I got lost looking through this yesterday afternoon! It is chock full of ideas and inspiration!
Thing Two:
AVFKW’s Endless Summer Tunic! PERFECT! And, yes… the idea of Endless Summer is just such a grand idea! I am pondering fabrics this morning and can’t wait to stitch this up! (Also… NO DARTS! Ha!)
Thing Three:
Milk + Honey® Lotion Bar…wow! This is my first experience with a lotion bar and how on earth can that be true! Where has this been all my life! This is the perfect balm for my garden-worn hands! It is just the right amount of moisture and does not feel tacky or sticky at all!
Thank you so much, Bridget, for this amazing package of goodies!
Want to see more lists? Head on over to Carole’s!
by Kat | Aug 2, 2018 | General, Words
All the making makes me happy!
Thing One:
T-shirt Dress Number One is almost done!! But wait!! I am contemplating a second t-shirt dress to wear to the Empire Hops Festival. I just need to find the perfect skirt for it.
Thing Two:
The second dress for Genevieve is almost done, and I love the little neckline detail that I tried on this version! I just need to attach the shirt to the bodice, buttonholes and hem and it will be finished!
Thing Three:
Did you see Ann and Kay’s post today? Did you also see the recent post from Annie Modesittt? Would you like to team up with me to knit a blanket for her? I do not know Annie, but I think she is in need of some knitterly love. I will volunteer to seam the blanket and send it to her. So what say you? Are you up for a square or two?
Those are my things and in case you have the burning desire to see more things, head on over to Carole’s!
