You’re “it” (question #3)

ARE YOU IN A BOOK CLUB?  WHAT IS THE BEST BOOK YOU HAVE READ RECENTLY?

Indeed, I am in a book club and write about it often. We are in our 24th year. Actually, as I write this, I really should be reading this month’s book instead of writing as I have over half of it to read for our discussion this evening. Ooops!

We have a standing rule in our group that we will discuss the book and its ending, even if someone hasn’t finished it. It works well for us. Everyone knows what book we will read far in advance. Besides, we never run out of words for discussion.

Tonight’s book is Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. It is a long but interesting read and I’m captivated by it, the characters, Ethiopia.  Have you read it?

My most recent favorite book is Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. I wrote about it here. I loved it and wished I had read it sooner.

My most favorite book discussion book of all time would have to be Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. It has been about ten years since we read it. It was such a wonderfully crafted book and it stays with me still. For my midwestern friends, I understand that the Lyric Opera of Chicago has commissioned an opera to be written of Bel Canto. It is scheduled for 2015/16.

One of my favorite book blogs is Work in Progress, where Danielle shares thoughtful reviews of books that are well known and some that are not. Danielle has a regular feature she calls Lost in the Stacks. I’ve grown to eagerly look forward to these postings, which are about books she finds in the library stacks that have not been read it a long, long time. These books, you see, are in mortal danger of being discarded. By checking them out, the books stay in circulation. Danielle is a heroine of books if ever there was one and her posts have led me to checking out a book or two when I visit the library in hopes of saving a few as well. You can visit here most recent Lost in the Stacks here.

This is what I found in the library last week? I loved the movie but never gave a thought to whether or not The Lilies of the Field was adapted from a book. I’m looking forward to reading it and I am admiring the illustrations. It looks like one reader checked it out for a school assignment as there are several pages with passages underlined in, horror, ink. No matter. It is now still a circulating book.

Do you discuss the books you read? Are you in a book group? How do you select your book and discuss it? Where do you meet?

Do you have a favorite book blog?

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Rebecca

“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again”

Daphne du Maurier. Rebecca

I do not know how I have managed to get through all these years of books and not have read Rebecca. I’ve known the opening line for as long as I can remember, but, have never read the book.

Well, dear friends, I finished it, just in time for our book discussion tonight. I’m looking forward to a good talk about the first Mrs. de Winter , the second Mrs. de Winter, who is the narrator, Maxim, Frank, and the horrible Mrs. Danvers. This atmospheric  novel, where the reader can almost feel the fog roll in, the water lapping the shore, the presence of the deceased Rebecca, is sure to make for a lively discussion.

Have you read Rebecca,  seen the movie, or read any of du Maurier’s works?

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Unexpected finds along the road

I had just finished seeing Jane Eyre, a brief and appreciated respite in a trying corner life that had overtaken us of late. I saw a long line of cars parked haphazardly on a county road where the houses are set deep into the property on a road where no one parks on the street. Then, I saw the sign. ESTATE SALE TODAY. My car just seemed to turn itself into a space, which was more mud that pavement. With a silent prayer that I would be able to get my car out of the muck and mud, I trotted up to the ironwork gates, secured a number to enter the house, and started chatting with those in line with me.

I’ve been known to do that. Chat away with whomever is standing next to me, behind me, in front of me, much to the chagrin of my family. I can’t help myself. People are so interesting, especially people waiting to get into an estate sale. The man behind me heard there were tools and a Mercedes in the garage. The lady in front of me kept looking for her husband, who was parking the car.. A woman crept up the curving stairs to the door, saying her number was about to be called, and saying she had been to the house the day before. She rambled on about the prices being too high (for the most part, they were) and how unusual it was to see even the bathroom vanities and commodes for sale. I asked if there were plates and books and such stuff as a a gal like me might be interested in, and she said there weren’t. Oh well, I thought, I have a ticket and my number is getting close. Besides, I sensed it would be interesting to walk around this house.

What the lady in line did tell me of paramount interest is sure to have me on the road of rummaging for some time. She told me about a website which, dear reader, you must go to so I won’t be the only one in trouble. Even if you don’t live in the States, check it out for fun, and then, well, then rummage around the internet yourself and see if there is such a site in your corner of Earth.

Estate sales from miles around your locale are not only posted, but, there are pictures galore of items you just have to own with information about times, directions, how to pay, etc. Just click onto the state you are interested in, then put in your zip code or click on a major city, and tada, you will find all sorts of things about to be sold that you just HAVE to buy – or, you can just take a trip down memory lane.  The site is estatesales.net , so, off you go now. Have fun.

Besides the expensive furniture and bathroom vanities (still in the bathroom), the Mercedes Benz and expensive paintings, the shoes for at bargain at $200 (I don’t think so) and the Weber grill, there was an entire wall of bookshelves, calling to me, and china and mugs and all sort of  ”stuff” a gal like me is drawn to. I did find two bargains. Four English teacups, so cheery and sweet, with apples and grapes, strawberries and peaches that have each taken turns cheering me up this week, and a first edition hardbound copy of Daphne du Maurier’s The House on the Strand (which was only $1).  It took me a while to get the car out of the mud, but, hey, a little muck and mud is worth getting into sometimes, don’t you agree?

 

 

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Reflecting

Come late afternoon, midwinter, as whatever warmth is left of the day wanes, I like to brew a small pot of tea. There is something soothing in the ritual of preparing tea; the slow boil of the water, the preparation of the teapot, the cup and saucer meeting up with a spoon. There is a certain sound that water in a kettle makes, just before it begins to boil. It heavy and anxious and eager just before it whistles, then insistent in its wail. I love to pour the water slowly in, letting it settle down in the kettle for a minute or so, like children coming in from recess, then drenching the tea bag or leaves, and catching the aroma at its most fragrant as steam curls upward. There is a rhythm in waiting for tea to steep – one minute, maybe five, depending on the tea chosen.

I know some think me silly. Just use the microwave. It is faster, I’ll agree, but the tea tastes flat and you don’t get the same kind of flavor, so, thanks, but no thanks, I’ll just do it this way, but I’d love for you to stay a while and have some.

Once again, I digress. One cup of tea, maybe two, is all I need. A few quiet moments to reflect upon my day, read a few pages in my latest book or browse a new magazine just brought in from the mailbox. As I sit and savor those first sips, which are always the best, and the light starts to fade, it is a comforting time to look at my day, where I’ve been, what I’ve done, what remains.

I wish you could come and have a cup of tea with me today.  I hope you can at least settle down for one, wherever you are, and enjoy a few sips, and reflect upon your day.

I think of half-past four at Manderley, and the table drawn before the library fire . . . the performance, never-varying, of . . . the silver tray, the kettle, the snowy cloth.

Daphne du Maurier, Rebecca

Tea. Mary Cassatt

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