Sunday, February 6, 2011

Sunday Salon: Wasting away in Margaritaville




Yo dudes! Happy Sunday! This happy post is coming to you from Islamorada, in the Upper Keys. My sister is visiting from Minneapolis, and we all came down here to do some deep sea fishing, drink a margarita or two and chillax. Thanks for all your well-wishes - the flu ran its course later this week finally, and I'm back up and running.

I think it is kinda funny how the moons align sometimes. As I sit here in this little piece of heaven, I recall that in the last couple of weeks, I've read not one but two books (The Cypress House and Turtle in Paradise) that have featured the famous 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, which decimated the Upper Keys. This storm is officially the most intense hurricane to hit the US, in front of even Katrina and Andrew. The young man that assisted with our fishing trip yesterday told us that his ancestors pioneered this area in the late 1800's, and his grandfather battled this hurricane by tying himself to a palm tree, and was the only one in his family to survive. We Floridians just eat up stories like this, and gives us all a little jolt of fear that the next Big One might be looming out there in our future. Have you ever had little moments of serendipity like this, where your life and your books work in sync?

Besides recovering from the flu, and the arrival of my sister, we also had our February Heathrow Literary Society meeting, and had a very lively discussion of "Freedom" (review posted this past Thursday). Next month, we will be reading "Appointment in Samarra" by John O'Hara. Has anyone read this one?

For feeling like a sack of poo, I did have some decent reading this week. I finished "Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter" on audio, which is for our Heathrow Literary Society in April. I probably should have waited until we were closer to April, but I just couldn't wait, I was too excited. (And by the way, I loved it.) I also finished Robert Crais' "The Sentry" on audio, the newest Joe Pike novel. Have any of you read this series? Joe Pike reminds me alot of Jack Reacher, and I purr when I am in his midst. I am now a couple of discs into "Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show".

I also finished "Delirium" by Lauren Oliver, and while it was not a five star love, it was a love nonetheless. I also read a middle grade book that I picked up at SIBA called "Turtle in Paradise", and people, I wanted to eat this book up with a spoon with whipped cream on top. I am now languishing in "Let the Right One In", the amazing vampire novel translated from Swedish (thanks James! I'm finally getting to it). You betcha as soon as I finish it, I'll be watching both the Swedish movie and the US remake. I'm sorta over the whole vampire thing, but this has a whole different vibe going on.

I'm going to sign off now and enjoy everything I can squeeze out of this place before we have to leave and hike back up home and watch the Packers kick the Steelers butt. Happy Sunday and Happy Super Bowl!














18 comments:

Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chick said...

I absolutely love the Keys. I've never been to Islamorada so my husband and I may need to check that out. We always skip all the Keys to head to Key West when my Dad enters the Hemingway Look Alike contest held at Sloppy Joes. Must definitely be a blast for your sister going to the Keys from Minneapolis! I lived in St. Cloud for about three years due to work about ten years ago - loved the people, hated the weather!

Glad you're feeling better! Enjoy your time in the Keys!

Julie P. said...

You did have a good reading week despite not feeling well. I too loved CROOKED LETTER and TURTLE IN PARADISE!

bermudaonion said...

I'm glad you're feeling better and having a great time! Did you get to see Jennifer Holm at SIBA? Both she and her little girl were adorable!!

JoAnn said...

I'm looking forward to Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter... thinking it will be an audio for me, too. Enjoy Paradise!

Trisha said...

I am so jealous. Golfing, margaritas, boats, beaches, sun. I'm surrounded by over a foot of snow and gigantic drifts. :)

Frances said...

Love the Keys. Love margaritas. Hate you for being there as I freeze and moan and groan about how much I hate winter. :) Glad you are back up to full speed!

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Sounds like a great week, and weekend! Can't complain about margaritaville! :--)

Iliana said...

Sounds like you guys are having a wonderful time - yay! Enjoy the superbowl. I'm so lucky my husband isn't into sports so hopefully after my book group today we'll go see a movie.

Can't wait to hear about Crooked Letter. I've got that one and it does look good!

caite said...

I have never been to the Keys...someday...

Zibilee said...

Oh, I just love the Keys and haven't been there in such a long time. It's funny because a girlfriend and I were just discussing a possible trip there! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Crooked Letter, as I have been eying that one and your review might just push me over the edge. Have fun out there!

Jenny said...

I've lived in Fl my whole life but never been to the Keys! Looks so beautiful!!

Those serendipity moments with books are so crazy!! That happens to me every once in a while (although of course I can't think of any examples off the top of my head, LOL).

Alyce said...

I don't usually have that kind of reading serendipity as far a reading about places I travel, but I do have it happen between books. It amazes me how often I'll be reading books from completely different genres, yet they contain some common elements.

Your time in the Keys sounds lovely!

Beth F said...

You mean there isn't ice on everyone's driveway??? I need to check out Let the Right One In -- that sounds like something I'd like.

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

I keep hearing about Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter. I think I'll have to check it out. Feel better soon!

Melissa said...

I've heard of Crooked Letter, but have no idea what it is about. I'll be anxiously awaiting your review to enlighten me.

Hope you have a great time with your sister!

Jenners said...

Glad you aren't feeling like a bag of poo anymore!! And I visited Key West once (on a cruise ship stop) and even though it was raining the whole time, it was fabulous. I hope to go back some day and visit some of the other islands ... not during hurricane time though!

And curious about the Lauren Oliver book... I guess it was no "Before I Fall.' And I so wish I could sit in on the Freedom discussion ... sounds like Franzen needs some support in your group! : )

Kathleen said...

Glad you are feeling better AND got to enjoy some really great book and travel serendipity!

Alice said...

So good!

You've just reminded me to get started on Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter.

It's Chinese Valentine's Day today (17 Feb) and the last day of Chinese New Year, otherwise known as Chap Goh Meh.