I
had a very slow reading week because I was working hard to be able to
take time off to spend a long weekend with my mom. I manged to finish
only one audiobook and didn't finish any print books or ebooks.Oh well. Family is more important than books. We had a great time doing some fun things as well as getting my mother's house and yard ready for winter. We cooked and baked, watched some football, and generally gabbed and visited.
I don't think I missed the books at all.
Paradise Lodge by Nina Stibbe (Little, Brown; July 2016): I really liked Stibbe's Man at the Helm
so I don't know why I waited to read this follow-up. Set in
1977, Lizzie Vogel, now at the ripe old age of fifteen, is fully aware
she can't always count on adults to know how to handle everyday life,
let alone upheaval. Although she's hardly qualified, Lizzie snags a job
in a rundown convalescence home for the elderly, happy to finally have
her own money to buy fancy cosmetics and other teen necessities. The
trouble is, however, she's supposed to be in school studying for her O
levels, not working extra shifts at Paradise Lodge. Between making
sketchy deals with the school authorities and contending with her
eccentric mother and uncertainty at home, Lizzie finds herself becoming
invested in the rest home's community: There are secrets to keep, love
affairs to discover, kidnappings to thwart, and surprising twists to
people's lives and deaths. What a fun, quirky coming-of-age story. You don't have
to have read the first book to love Paradise Lodge, but why miss out on all things Lizzie? I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 9 hr, 14 min), which was read by Helen Baxendale,
who did a great job highlighting Lizzie's personality and
distinguishing among the characters. I particularly loved the way she
handled the humor, never foreshadowing or leading me, but letting me
appreciate the fun all on my own. Highly recommended in either medium.I'll leave you with a photo of the riverside, where my family had drinks one night. It's crazy that it was warm enough to sit outside in northern Ohio on an October evening.
That's how I've felt this Fall..."I haven't missed the books at all" b/c none have really made me dying to get back to them.
ReplyDeleteI'm at the crazy, no time to read point right now, too, so I get where you're coming from. At least the one book you finished was great.
ReplyDeleteYour weekend sounds great, despite a lack of books! The weather has been crazy here, too. Snow is now fair game, but yesterday I was wearing sandals and short sleeves!
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's nice to have time away from books and family is the perfect getaway. Our fall has been lovely, but not warm enough for evenings outside. I wish!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had fun with family. That is better than books. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I do wonder what my life would be like if I didn't push myself so hard to read all the books I bought...and why did I feel compelled to buy so many? LOL
ReplyDeleteParadise Lodge sounds good...a relaxing read. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.
Nothing like spending time with family! Glad to hear you had a great time even if the books didn't get much attention. Paradise Lodge sounds like a fun read. Will have to look for that one.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful weekend! well worth giving up a little reading time for.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy your books this week!
Sue
Book By Book
Gorgeous picture. I agree, family is more important.
ReplyDeleteI'm adding Man at the Helm to my wishlist. Come see what I'm reading
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pic of the river! Nice that it's been nicer for October, it's been the same way here. Have a super week!
ReplyDeleteooh good reads AND an awesome photo .. where is that fab skyline?
ReplyDelete