Sunday, July 3, 2011

Sunday Salon: Downtime

Happy Sunday and Happy Long Weekend!  We've been home for over a week now, and I am finally feeling like I have my life in order.  Jet lag is finally gone, everything is cleaned, weeded and restocked, the cats are just now able to relax and not go nervously pacing through the house crying like poor orphaned creatures.

Not a whole lot to report on my activities this week besides just busy-work.  The kids and I went to see "Super 8" one day because nothing else looked appealing.  This movie is EXACTLY what you would expect from Spielberg and Abrams...kid chemistry and aliens.  Did some shopping at the outlets to appease my daughter who had money burning a hole in her pocket.  Serenity now.  (Uh...now would NOT be the time of year to visit the outlets FYI.  They are busing them in at this point.)

Despite the fact that now I have kids underfoot for most of the day, I was able to get some reading in.  I read Michael Koryta's "The Ridge" quickly - it was enjoyable.  I then started "The Poisoner's Handbook" by Deborah Blum, a book I picked up at the UCF Book Fest.  I've had a slow start, but it is fascinating stuff.  Every way you could poison a person at the turn of the century!  Yeah baby! 

In my wonderful world of audios, I finished "The Peach Keeper" by Sarah Addison Allen, which was for Books, Babes and Bordeaux.  I had some 'tude going into this book because I really did not like "Garden Spells".  I found this one to be moderately better, but Allen is not really well-served by her narrators.  I am now in the middle of "Clara & Mr. Tiffany" by Susan Vreeland, for next month's Heathrow Literary Society.  So far I am entranced.  After our meeting on this book next month, I think our book group is planning on taking a field trip to the Morse Museum, which houses a large Tiffany collection.  Isn't that cool?   

Last week's Skype book club was postponed until this week, so I am looking forward to discussing not only "Bloodroot" but also "The Mango Season" later today.  Then tomorrow my good friends the Murphys are having their annual humongous 4th of July celebration complete with bigger fireworks than some towns.  Hope you have a wonderful long weekend as well.  Are any of you up to anything fun?  

   

21 comments:

Jenny said...

I do not really care for Sarah Allen's books... they're nothing wrong with them but I guess the genre isn't for me. I've never heard anyone else say anything about NOT loving them, LOL!

I'm going to have a lot of time for listening to audios because I have some very long commutes now for work so I'll be looking to you for recommendations!

Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chick said...

I enjoy Sarah Addison Allen, it touches my magical realism love, which I adore. They definitely sweep me away! :)

I really enjoyed The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland on audio (my first audio that I loved), and everyone then recommended Clara and Mr. Tiffany, so I'm looking forward to your final thoughts on that one. Glad to read it's good thus far!

Beth F said...

I haven't tried Sarah Allen yet; magical realism is not my thing. Glad you are back in the swing of things.

Molly said...

Glad life is back to normal. I often feel that I need a vacation from the vacation :)

Enjoy the fabulous 4th of July celebration!

bermudaonion said...

Yay for downtime! We just got back from the UK and I've been surprised at how little jet lag affected me on this trip. I think I've just gotten used to going without sleep, so it was nothing new. I'm looking forward to book club today.

bermudaonion said...

I forgot to say that I need a vacation to catch up after my vacation! I'm overwhelmed with all I have to do around here.

Unknown said...

We're doing a lot for fee days at the museum this summer. Off to the Oakland Museum later today. Our summer will be very local and very low key this year.

rhapsodyinbooks said...

You get the most amazing amount of reading in, in spite of all the activities and kids and etc.!

Anonymous said...

HA, you couldn't pay me enough money to venture to the outlet malls this time of year. We went to Pointe Orlando last night for dinner and the parking garage was absolute insanity. Ahh, tourists. ;)

Good to hear that The Peach Keeper wasn't a total flop for you. I'll be starting it next week probably, so we'll see. It looks pretty short (I'm going to read it in print) so it should be a fast read.

Happy Sunday! And Happy 4th!

JoAnn said...

Hurray for downtime! Vacations are exhausting... glad you've had a chance to relax and catch up. We'll probably see Super 8 this week. Happy 4th!

Literary Feline said...

The Poisoner's Handbook sounds interesting! I am fascinated by that type of stuff. I haven't yet read anything by Addison yet, but I do want to give her a try.

I hope you have a great 4th of July!

ds said...

Happy downtime, Sandy, and enjoy your friends' celebration. We're having family in later today. I've gotta get cracking...

Unknown said...

It normally takes me a few weeks to recover from a holiday like that, so I'm pleased that you got back into the swing of things so quickly.

Zibilee said...

We also saw Super * this weekend, and it was such a neat little movie. Reminded me of a cross between The Goonies and E.T.

I am about halfway through Before I Fall, and all I can say is holy cow, is this book entrancing! I was going to start off with The Peach Keeper, but I decided to go the other way at the last minute, and am glad I did.

I will be really curious to hear what you think about The Poisoner's Handbook, as it's one that I am really excited about.

I hope you have a great time over at Marianne's this weekend. Tell her I said hey!

Heidenkind said...

I loved Garden Spells, but I haven't had much of a desire to read her other books.

Julie P. said...

It was nice getting to meet to on Skype today!! :)

Melody said...

I loved Sarah's Garden Spells, but haven't read the rest of her books yet.

Hope you have a great week ahead!!

Carrie K. said...

I really liked Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen - but haven't tried any of her work on audio. I'm listening to Revolution right now - and you are so right- I am loving it!

Susan said...

Huh! Your downtime is like a full week of work for most people! LOL

My cats do that, too! Aren't they pitiful? One of my male cats has decided he no longer wants to use the litter box and is peeing right in front of it. He knows I'm onto him, because every time I ever-so-sweetly call his name, he immediately runs and hides under the bed and does his best to allude me! Little bugger! He's gonna be an outside kitty, I fear.

I hadn't heard of that Susan Vreeland book...loved The Passion of Artemesia.

Melissa said...

I enjoy Allen's books, but might stay away from them on audio. Glad you are adjusting to being home!

Jenners said...

As usual, your "downtime" sounds a lot like my busy time.

I've not tried Sarah Addison Allen yet ... but I plan to try her after seeing how many people loved her. I'll be curious to see my reaction to her stuff.

How neat to have friends who have a fireworks display bigger than some towns!

Glad to have you back!!!