Thursday, July 12, 2012

summer reading

I've recently read two good novels--and enjoyed them so much that the next books I read will be by the same authors. Beautiful Ruins, by Jess Walter. Well-written, warm, amusing--back and forth between 1950's Italy and present day Hollywood. I'll read his previous book, The Financial Lives of Poets (great title!) soon.

The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons was recommended to me by a bookstore owner, and it is a rich old-fashioned novel--World War II, England, Vienna, romance, heartbreak...It takes place in Dorset and now I want to go there--the book is filled with wonderful imagery of the beauty of the place. Such as:
 "I loved the wildness and the salt water cracking against the black rocks and the greylag geese crying overhead and the sea pinks reaching over the cliff tops and the adders basking on the heath, the song of the fishermen and the rainbow bellies of the mackerel, the silent church and the glimpse of Portland in the mist and the way the weather was changeable as a Mozart opera..."

I am going to the Cape* this weekend and taking her other book Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English.


 * People in the know say The Cape, and not Cape Cod, in the way that in New Jersey you don't say, I'm going to the beach, you say, I'm going down the shore.

I bought the chair in the picture above at an auction this week, and I'm keeping it! That is a glimpse of my guest room, and the colors I love--beach colors.

This glorious trumpetvine now grows above the roofline and is thick with flowers. Rabbits come and eat the fallen ones. There is one big old rabbit who lets us walk right up to him. I impulsively bought a biography of Beatrix Potter, but it is very large and I'm having trouble getting into it. I should just read her books again--spend time with Squirrel Nutkin, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Benjamin Bunny. And of course, Peter Rabbit.

Enjoy your weekend.

x Jen
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17 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 12, 2012 at 9:07 PM

    books books books :) summer is for reading, isn't is, at the shore ;) have a wonderful weekend xxx

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    Replies
    1. JenJuly 13, 2012 at 9:29 AM

      Did you ever find a bookstore in Singapore?

      Delete
  2. UnknownJuly 13, 2012 at 12:16 AM

    Ive been doing a lot of reading sense joining a book club. read
    "Out of my Mind" and "Dressmaker of Khair Khan" and " The Year Of Living Biblically" You would probably be a little upset that I love my Nook and have been reading books that way.

    My sister lives in Cape Cod. I guess I say it that way cause I'm a Midwesterner. Isn't America a wonderful mish-mash of differences ? yet we are all Americans proud of our little place here or there, with our own different roots.

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    1. JenJuly 13, 2012 at 9:31 AM

      I'm cool with Nooks-I own a Kindle. My son gave it to me a couple of Christmases ago. It's great for travelling but I still prefer books with covers and pages. The only thing that matters is that people keep reading.

      Delete
  3. leaves on the Raney TreeJuly 13, 2012 at 1:33 AM

    Ah, Devon. We spent a week in a cottage in North Devon near the coast. We walked above the sea along the coastal trail on the side of a cliff until we came to an old Roman ruin of a hilltop fort. There is still a village in the valley below the fort. For centuries the Romans stood looking toward Ireland, waiting for those barbarians to raid the Empire across the blue sea. One the few times I could feel myself transported back into the mists of time.

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    Replies
    1. JenJuly 13, 2012 at 9:32 AM

      It sounds magical. The book is based on a an incredibly sad true story about a village that was requisitioned by the gov't during the war.

      Delete
  4. MiseJuly 13, 2012 at 4:18 AM

    Your life seems so wonderfully calm and gentle, Jen, and now I can picture you sitting on that lovely chair amid it.

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    Replies
    1. JenJuly 13, 2012 at 9:35 AM

      After a chaotic youth I have finally achieved a good amount of calmness in my life. It makes everything easier (and better).

      Delete
  5. Raindrops and DaisiesJuly 13, 2012 at 4:56 AM

    Hi Jen,

    Enjoy your time away.

    Great to get book recommendations I will look these up
    as I love reading too.

    I love your painting and your chair, it makes such a relaxing scene.

    Have a lovely weekend.

    Fiona x

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    Replies
    1. JenJuly 13, 2012 at 9:36 AM

      Thanks, Fiona. Now I just have to get the rest of the house in order...

      Delete
  6. UnknownJuly 13, 2012 at 6:15 AM

    so lovely when you find a book to dream away with. we're moving down nearish dorset soon.....
    but have always wanted to visit the american 'cape' :)

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    Replies
    1. JenJuly 13, 2012 at 9:37 AM

      Wonderful--I can't wait to see pictures and read posts about it. I will have more to say on the Cape next week.

      Delete
  7. Susan ~ Southern FascinationsJuly 13, 2012 at 11:39 AM

    Jen... enjoy your time away! We have been on "island time"... St. George Island FL.. since last Sunday and our time is winding down to return to our landlocked reality! That just makes coming to the ocean extra special! Thanks for the book recommendations... will check those out on the Kindle. I do enjoy it, but can't resist actually turning the pages of a wonderful book. Safe travels...

    ReplyDelete
  8. rumaJuly 13, 2012 at 1:55 PM

    Hello, Jen.

    　　It is my joy to share your wonderful work.
    　　And sweet message charms my heart.

    　　I pray for your happiness and world peace.

    Have a good weekend. From Japan, ruma ❃

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  9. AmeliaJuly 13, 2012 at 3:21 PM

    Yay, more book recommendations, there are never enough. I see you kept the painting :) I love trumpet vine, my neighbor has one and I would love to start pulling it over to me excep that there's a house in the way. Love the chair and the calm beachy colors. Enjoy the Cape!

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  10. haricotJuly 13, 2012 at 9:48 PM

    You have a big motivation and concentration on many daily things and I admire your way. Thank you for the nice excerpt! I feel as if I'm sitting on a rock by the bay.

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  11. MadeliefJuly 14, 2012 at 3:43 PM

    Have a lovely weekend and the Cape Jen. Thank you for the book tips!

    Madelief x

    ReplyDelete

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