Have you read Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall? That's my number one rec right now to everyone. Also, my niece had a summer reading assignment of Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea. At first I thought it was too much for 9th graders (whom I used to teach) but I changed my mind. It's considered YA, but it is just a good book.
I have not! But I love a good mystery, so I've added it to my list! Thank you for the rec. I have also added Into the Beautiful North. Looking forward to reading both!
Hahaha. My dad would be proud, finally I’m into a Jewish guy. Lol. Any thoughts so far on season 2? I have mixed feelings but will, of course, keep binging. 🥴
I got confused for a second with Adrien and Adam... too many men! LOL. They're both cute in my book! hehe... tall, dark, and handsome, can't go wrong. hahah although who knows how tall they are and I'm too lazy to google that!
Honestly I don't know much about him but he has an interesting face which I like. The only reason I like Adam Brody is because of his character in this show. I usually have a crush on characters, not actors per se 😂
That's a great way to put that - that you only have crushes on characters. That makes so much sense. Ryan Gosling Crazy Sexy Love YES but him in other things not so much.
I also have mixed feelings by All the way to the river, I listened to it instead of reading it, which was nice, having the book told by Liz herself. And I feel that she was honest about sharing that she thought she knew herself when she wrote Eat, pray love and was doing the right thing all these years, but doing it from a place of lack and now finding her way back to love... Wisdom comes with living and writers who are ready to share something they didn't dare before are brave in my opinion
Interesting. Maybe I should try listening too. It is so raw and honest, which I like. And you have a good point about the bravery to share such personal things that most people are afraid to open up about. She has prob helped many ppl feel a lot less alone.
I like her take (actually I think it’s one of her friend’s takes) on why certain people come into our lives and the lessons we’ve each signed up for & the roles we’ve chosen to play to help someone learn whatever it is that they need to learn, before even coming to this planet. The boardroom for souls (or something like that). I read that chapter twice because I had never thought of it in that exact light. It helps me dissolve a lot of the anger or resentment I’ve felt about certain relationships.
That makes a lot of sense! And I agree that there’s a reason why each person comes into our lives (whether the experience is ultimately good or bad). Just all part of bringing us to where we’re supposed to be. I hope eventually I can let go completely of trying to have a plan for my life! Haha.
I loved season 2 of Nobody Wants This less than I loved the first, but Adam Brody is my forever crush (had photos of him on my wall 23 years ago, would still have some up now if it weren't for my pesky husband) so I'm a ride or die fan no matter how bad it gets.
Hahaha. My crush on him is new-ish. Season 2 was def not as good! I am curious to see how the brother and his wife’s characters develop if there’s a season 3 (I’m blanking on their names right now). But they’re quite funny!
I felt like their relationship was massively different this season – in the first one it felt sort of like she was into him but he was just sort of there because he'd resigned himself to being in the marriage, whereas this season I feel like they tried to play it like he was some lovesick super husband and she was the one that wasn't so into it?
I am curious to see if they end up back together though, definitely a good B plot
The back and forth feels quite real to me… not sure what that says about me! Haha. But long-term relationship are no joke and have sooooo many ups and downs. Good plot B for sure! Let’s see!
(Sometime later) I don't have much of anything meaningful to contribute here, but I think the ongoing dialogue is wonderful. Normally I read three novels at a time to keep the pages and images fresh but I am editing two different womens' memoirs - from entirely different educational/demographic/marital backgrounds - while turning the remaining pages of Tortilla Flat (Steinbeck). Seasonally I changed from rum to bourbon for Autumn and darkened the cigars a shade too to reflect the season. Does that qualify as eating, sorry? We are taking some 2010 Barossa Valley Syrah out of storage to last through New Year's. Went back to listening to Coltrane and Ellis Marsalis for Autumn. They seem to capture the lilting drift of the season. Television does not hold my attention so I just try to play the good husband and tolerate all the mundane and boring serial killer nonsense that seems to captivate my wife. I feel like I should try to bake some gingersnaps.
We watch the daily news from her home country, daily as previously cited. That plus trying-really-trying to listen and follow while she complains about her (completely voluntary: she does not need to work) colleagues and office. Typically that consumes a bit over seventy minutes. I'm not counting.
Then it is whatever serial killer fare hits her first. Man murders women and throws them in the lake. In the swamp. Buried under the floorboards. His pigs eat them. Then a roster of somewhat bewildered-looking investigators come on to talk about "It was such a small town, everybody knew each other and they never had to lock their doors" followed by "DNA evidence gathering was in the early stages" and the obligatory "This case became really personal for me. The family deserved justice and closure."
A ponderous formula.
Somewhere along the boredom circuit I secretly hope I can hear a cat vomiting in a far corner of the house so I can slip away.
I've been listening to spa music and the new Ed Sheeran album. My daughter told me it was influenced by his trip to India as it has a very Bollywood sound to it. Loving it!
I'm reading a pretty cool book called All This and More by Peng Shepherd. It's about a midlife woman who gets the opportunity to appear on a show which involves Quantum Bubbling which lets you try out all different types of lives so that you can pick one to fit into your real life.
Thanks for bringing us all together! Happy Halloween thanks for the bagel recipe. Yum! Originally from New York so I know what you mean. When we moved to Massachusetts there was no good bagels.
Hey Shelby! Spa music, as in the stuff they play at spas? I've never heard of "spa music" hehe. But now I'm intrigued! I'll check out the latest from Ed Sheeran!
Thanks for the book rec! Sounds like a fun read. I've added it to my list.
Shout out to New Yorkers and the best bagels ever! lol
If you have Amazon music try the station Spa Day. My son (20) and I went to Silicon Valley in California and our rental car was tuned to the SiriusXM station Spa (which they pronounce as spaaaaaaaaa) when we got into it. We loved driving around this beautiful area listening to Spa lol. It was so peaceful.
I am in the midst of “All the way to the River” and I am in the midst of confusion about it. I liked her first book, but I think that was because it came at a good time in my life for me to like it. This book not so much. Not a particularly good time and not a particularly good book. However, I will finish it mostly just to say I read it. River is my second memoir/biography this month and I am returning to fiction for the necessary escape it provides.
I understand the confusion part. I also want to finish it mainly just because I hate to stop halfway through. I can’t say I’m wholeheartedly enjoying it but I’m also not hating it. I’ll see how I feel once I’m done. What’s next up in your fiction queue? I need to escape too!!
I know you said you haven't been on much of a fiction kick, but I just started Good Material by Dolly Alderton. Trying to get to know her work better as she's written the screenplay for the upcoming Pride and Prejudice series, and I'm always up for anything to do with Jane Austen. I can't imagine anything ever surpassing the 1995 series though.
It's a fun read, but so far I have to say I've enjoyed her first novel, Ghosts, more... not exactly sure why. If you're into period dramas, you must watch Pride and Prejudice! (No point if you're not though. 😂)
Have you read Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall? That's my number one rec right now to everyone. Also, my niece had a summer reading assignment of Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea. At first I thought it was too much for 9th graders (whom I used to teach) but I changed my mind. It's considered YA, but it is just a good book.
Wrote both down to check out. Thanks for the recs!
I have not! But I love a good mystery, so I've added it to my list! Thank you for the rec. I have also added Into the Beautiful North. Looking forward to reading both!
Love that show, and yes to the crush!
Hahaha. My dad would be proud, finally I’m into a Jewish guy. Lol. Any thoughts so far on season 2? I have mixed feelings but will, of course, keep binging. 🥴
Mmm... It gets both more real and annoying?
hahaha I get that! Will continue the binge tonight... can't wait!
I prefer Adrian Brody (I have weird taste sometimes) but he doesn't sound like a great guy.
I got confused for a second with Adrien and Adam... too many men! LOL. They're both cute in my book! hehe... tall, dark, and handsome, can't go wrong. hahah although who knows how tall they are and I'm too lazy to google that!
Honestly I don't know much about him but he has an interesting face which I like. The only reason I like Adam Brody is because of his character in this show. I usually have a crush on characters, not actors per se 😂
Same here! It's more about the character than the actor, per se!
Teenage girl crush high five! 💪
That's a great way to put that - that you only have crushes on characters. That makes so much sense. Ryan Gosling Crazy Sexy Love YES but him in other things not so much.
I also have mixed feelings by All the way to the river, I listened to it instead of reading it, which was nice, having the book told by Liz herself. And I feel that she was honest about sharing that she thought she knew herself when she wrote Eat, pray love and was doing the right thing all these years, but doing it from a place of lack and now finding her way back to love... Wisdom comes with living and writers who are ready to share something they didn't dare before are brave in my opinion
Interesting. Maybe I should try listening too. It is so raw and honest, which I like. And you have a good point about the bravery to share such personal things that most people are afraid to open up about. She has prob helped many ppl feel a lot less alone.
Love this new format. Thank you so much for the mention/feature!
As for Elizabeth Gilbert’s new memoir…I equally liked & disliked it. I’m glad I finished it, and I actually got a few good takeaways.
I’m feeling the same at the moment. But want to finish it before I decide. Thanks for sharing your POV! Feel like sharing your top takeaway?
Yes! I feel like I’m having to learn to let go of the plan again & again (& again)
And AGAIN! Lol
I like her take (actually I think it’s one of her friend’s takes) on why certain people come into our lives and the lessons we’ve each signed up for & the roles we’ve chosen to play to help someone learn whatever it is that they need to learn, before even coming to this planet. The boardroom for souls (or something like that). I read that chapter twice because I had never thought of it in that exact light. It helps me dissolve a lot of the anger or resentment I’ve felt about certain relationships.
That makes a lot of sense! And I agree that there’s a reason why each person comes into our lives (whether the experience is ultimately good or bad). Just all part of bringing us to where we’re supposed to be. I hope eventually I can let go completely of trying to have a plan for my life! Haha.
8. I don’t think anyone wants this anymore. We turned it off in the middle of the second episode.
Yeahhhhh. It’s def not hitting in the same way, but I still feel like I want to see what’s gonna happen! I can’t help myself. Lol
I loved season 2 of Nobody Wants This less than I loved the first, but Adam Brody is my forever crush (had photos of him on my wall 23 years ago, would still have some up now if it weren't for my pesky husband) so I'm a ride or die fan no matter how bad it gets.
Hahaha. My crush on him is new-ish. Season 2 was def not as good! I am curious to see how the brother and his wife’s characters develop if there’s a season 3 (I’m blanking on their names right now). But they’re quite funny!
I felt like their relationship was massively different this season – in the first one it felt sort of like she was into him but he was just sort of there because he'd resigned himself to being in the marriage, whereas this season I feel like they tried to play it like he was some lovesick super husband and she was the one that wasn't so into it?
I am curious to see if they end up back together though, definitely a good B plot
The back and forth feels quite real to me… not sure what that says about me! Haha. But long-term relationship are no joke and have sooooo many ups and downs. Good plot B for sure! Let’s see!
Oh yeah, absolutely felt real, I just think they were positioned very differently this season!
For sure!
(Sometime later) I don't have much of anything meaningful to contribute here, but I think the ongoing dialogue is wonderful. Normally I read three novels at a time to keep the pages and images fresh but I am editing two different womens' memoirs - from entirely different educational/demographic/marital backgrounds - while turning the remaining pages of Tortilla Flat (Steinbeck). Seasonally I changed from rum to bourbon for Autumn and darkened the cigars a shade too to reflect the season. Does that qualify as eating, sorry? We are taking some 2010 Barossa Valley Syrah out of storage to last through New Year's. Went back to listening to Coltrane and Ellis Marsalis for Autumn. They seem to capture the lilting drift of the season. Television does not hold my attention so I just try to play the good husband and tolerate all the mundane and boring serial killer nonsense that seems to captivate my wife. I feel like I should try to bake some gingersnaps.
Yes, that qualifies as eating! Haha. I'm into boring, mundane, garbage TV — what has your wife been watching? That's sweet of you to participate.
Exactly, so sweet of me (shouting that)!
We watch the daily news from her home country, daily as previously cited. That plus trying-really-trying to listen and follow while she complains about her (completely voluntary: she does not need to work) colleagues and office. Typically that consumes a bit over seventy minutes. I'm not counting.
Then it is whatever serial killer fare hits her first. Man murders women and throws them in the lake. In the swamp. Buried under the floorboards. His pigs eat them. Then a roster of somewhat bewildered-looking investigators come on to talk about "It was such a small town, everybody knew each other and they never had to lock their doors" followed by "DNA evidence gathering was in the early stages" and the obligatory "This case became really personal for me. The family deserved justice and closure."
A ponderous formula.
Somewhere along the boredom circuit I secretly hope I can hear a cat vomiting in a far corner of the house so I can slip away.
I've been listening to spa music and the new Ed Sheeran album. My daughter told me it was influenced by his trip to India as it has a very Bollywood sound to it. Loving it!
I'm reading a pretty cool book called All This and More by Peng Shepherd. It's about a midlife woman who gets the opportunity to appear on a show which involves Quantum Bubbling which lets you try out all different types of lives so that you can pick one to fit into your real life.
Thanks for bringing us all together! Happy Halloween thanks for the bagel recipe. Yum! Originally from New York so I know what you mean. When we moved to Massachusetts there was no good bagels.
Hey Shelby! Spa music, as in the stuff they play at spas? I've never heard of "spa music" hehe. But now I'm intrigued! I'll check out the latest from Ed Sheeran!
Thanks for the book rec! Sounds like a fun read. I've added it to my list.
Shout out to New Yorkers and the best bagels ever! lol
If you have Amazon music try the station Spa Day. My son (20) and I went to Silicon Valley in California and our rental car was tuned to the SiriusXM station Spa (which they pronounce as spaaaaaaaaa) when we got into it. We loved driving around this beautiful area listening to Spa lol. It was so peaceful.
I don't have Amazon Music, but I'm sure I can find something on Spotify! Sounds glorious. I'll give it a try! <3
Loving this fun conversation with interesting people you started!
Thanks! Enjoying it too!
Another great read. Going to become expert bagel maker soon!
🤞🏻Hopefully even better with a new kitchen (one of these days!).
I am in the midst of “All the way to the River” and I am in the midst of confusion about it. I liked her first book, but I think that was because it came at a good time in my life for me to like it. This book not so much. Not a particularly good time and not a particularly good book. However, I will finish it mostly just to say I read it. River is my second memoir/biography this month and I am returning to fiction for the necessary escape it provides.
FYI, some Substackers have written articles about it which you may resonate with.
You mean about Liz Gilbert's new book? I've seen a few flying around. I'll have to do a search once I finish the book. Thanks for the reminder!
I understand the confusion part. I also want to finish it mainly just because I hate to stop halfway through. I can’t say I’m wholeheartedly enjoying it but I’m also not hating it. I’ll see how I feel once I’m done. What’s next up in your fiction queue? I need to escape too!!
I know you said you haven't been on much of a fiction kick, but I just started Good Material by Dolly Alderton. Trying to get to know her work better as she's written the screenplay for the upcoming Pride and Prejudice series, and I'm always up for anything to do with Jane Austen. I can't imagine anything ever surpassing the 1995 series though.
Ooo that book is on my list! Maybe I’ll bump it up in the queue and read it next. Thanks for the rec! I’ve never watched Pride and Prejudice. 🫣
It's a fun read, but so far I have to say I've enjoyed her first novel, Ghosts, more... not exactly sure why. If you're into period dramas, you must watch Pride and Prejudice! (No point if you're not though. 😂)