Right on the heels of my four-day retreat comes another respite. This one planned by Mother Nature. Ice, snow, more ice and then more snow. Perhaps three to four inches, but enough to keep me indoors by the fire as a safeguard against frigid temperatures.
So since Friday, I have been relishing another day or two of solitude and quiet - a bonus retreat, as it were.
I am still reading the wonderful At Home by Bill Bryson. This book is an entire education in itself. I have learned about architecture, gardening, inventions, and explorations. I don't know how he does it, but he has included everything from mousetraps, bricks, follies and ha-has, to the plague and the conspicuous consumption of America's robber barons and England's aristocracy.
Am in the middle of Cross Creek by Majorie Kinnan Rawlings. One chapter, "Our Daily Bread", is all about the central Florida flora and fauna that she and her neighbors enjoyed eating. We are talking alligators, turtles and turtle eggs, rattlesnakes, and a fruit called the Scuppernong grape. All this, of course, along with cornpone, white bacon, pokeweed, and collard greens. Definitely an acquired taste!
I will stick with tea and pumpkin bread.
What I am reading now:
Carl Sandburg Home - The Official Historic Site Handbook:
This was a pleasant surprise. The text of this this book, about Connemara, the home of the poet and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, is written by Paula Steichen, Sandburg's granddaughter. Lots of insight into the writer and his family.
The Bedside Guardian 28 (1978-1979) - introduced by John Cleese:
I love this collection of articles, profiles, and reviews published in the British newspaper, The Guardian. Even the stories about rugby or politics I find to be so well written that they are a pleasure to read even though I am not quite sure what is going on.
Hit List by Lawrence Block:
Professional hit man Keller is back. In this second book of tales from the world of the stamp-collecting killer for hire, an unknown rival is out to eliminate his competition. Keller, it turns out, is on that guy's Hit List.
What I just finished reading:
My Connemara by Paula Steichen:
A sweet look at life growing up in the household with her grandfather Carl Sandburg. I will write about this soon.
Bloodhounds by Peter Lovesey:
This is the fourth in the series about police detective Peter Diamond of Bath. This is an especially entertaining one as The Bloodhounds are a group of mystery novel fans who get together to discuss crime writers and their books. That is, until the real-life, locked-room murder of one of the members happens. It was fun to mark Lovesey's many, many references to authors, book titles, and fictional detectives.
The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys:
See my review here.
What I will probably read next:
I have two Bill Bryson books, At Home and A Short History of Nearly Everything to begin. And a P.G. Wodehouse, Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit which I bought on my recent book-buying spree. These should keep me laughing for a bit.
What does your progress report look like?
Oh goody. My Powell's order arrived today. I promise these are the last books I am buying in 2012 but I am such a sucker for free shipping and these four are all 'previously owned' and I am happy to have them.
As I am late in discovering the very funny author Bill Bryson (here is My fan letter to Mr. Bryson), I went on a bit of a tear and ordered three of his books: a hardcover edition of At Home and paperback editions of The Lost Continent (who better to take a road trip of small towns in America than with Mr. Bryson) and Neither Here Nor There about his adventures in Europe.
I am so in the mood to do some armchair traveling.
The final book in the order is Life Among the Savages by Shirley Jackson. Yes, that Shirley Jackson of the creepy short story "The Lottery," The Haunting of Hill House, and We Have Always Lived in the Castle.
This book will not keep me up at night unless it is because I am laughing. I am not sure where I read about it, but it is really a series of short-stories-turned-into-a-novel. It is one of those books about domestic chaos - based on her own experiences raising four children in a big, rambling house - that can be so charming and hilarious. Think Diary of a Provincial Lady and anything written by Erma Bombeck.
I am all set for a little light reading to wind up the year.
