Sunday, March 13, 2011

Sunday Salon: An Early Spring Day on the Cape

Is it officially spring yet? I've totally lost track. This weekend was Daylight Savings Time so it must be getting pretty close. In the spirit of spring my husband and I decided to drive down to Cape Cod for the day and walk around the pretty town of Falmouth. There are lots of cute shops, a nice bookstore or two, and some nice places to eat- in other words, it's a nice little town and a nice day to be out here.
 
Reading-wise, I finished The Outside Boy, by Jeanine Cummins, and have started The Matchmaker of Kenmare, the latest by Frank Delaney and the sequel to last year's wonderful Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show. I'm enjoying this book very much so far. Delaney was the guest on Friday's #litchat on Twitter and it was really fun to be able to ask him some questions and take in his insights and thoughts into writing and literature. I'm also still reading J.G. Farrell's Troubles, a wonderful Booker Prize winner about the Ireland of the 1920s. It's funny and clever and delightful, and very different from the other two books! I picked up another Irish novel over the weekend, Iris Murdoch's The Italian Girl; I have a stack of Murdoch to read and may have to devote a whole month to her books alone!

I also have a special feature coming up, probably next week- a Publisher Spotlight series on the wonderful Europa Editions. Expect interviews with editor-in-chief Michael Reynolds and authors Alina Bronsky and James Scudamore, as well as reviews of Bronsky's and Scudamore's most recent books as well as a review of Hygiene and the Assassin by Amelie Nothomb. That will be coming up starting next Saturday and continuing through the following week. Stay tuned!

In the mean time I hope you're having a great Sunday. Leave a comment and tell me what you're up to- I'd love to know!

More Sunday Salon here.

10 comments:

Mystica said...

The Italian girl sounds good. I have been blogging for quite a while now and have enjoyed reading other people's blogs. Apart from the books I also enjoy what people have to say about weather - one spoke about a blizzard and the others speak about the beginning of spring and so many flowers! the flowers are glorious.

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Daylight savings time drives (me) crazy. Arizona doesn't do it, but some of my clocks don't know that, so for a few days I never know what the heck time it really is! Still, it's nice to have that symbol of spring!

Sandy Nawrot said...

I really hate springing ahead..."losing" time is something I don't need! I just got up and half the darn day is gone already it seems.

I just did finish Venetia Kelly on audio a couple of weeks ago, and although I was not totally blown away, I did enjoy it (and boy is Delaney a killer narrator!). I am curious about what this sequel is about. Does he find her????

Jeanne said...

I'm studying up to be able to conduct a music rehearsal for high school theater tomorrow afternoon, making travel arrangements for different family trips, dipping into different books to see what I want to read next, and ministering to a sick cat at my friend's house where I'm petsitting.

JaneGS said...

Sounds like such a lovely day--it's been about 30 years since I was on Cape Cod, and it's high on the list of places I want to revisit. I would think Spring would be just about the perfect time.

I've never read Iris Murdoch, so I may have to check out The Italian Girl, and I've been hearing good things about Frank Delaney's books as well.

Alexia561 said...

I'm with Sandy in that I hate losing that hour of sleep in the morning!

We're housebound this weekend due to the flooding in the area, so I spent the day catching up on my reading while DH worked in the yard. We were both very happy today! :)

Kathleen said...

Sounds like you got a head start on Spring. As much as I hate losing that hour I am enjoying that extra hour of daylight tonight.

Zibilee said...

Oh, it does sound like you've had a wonderful day and the books you are reading have so gotten me inspired to pick up something Irish. I really love Murdoch's writing and would love to try another of hers, so that's where I think I am headed!

Vasilly said...

I can't wait to read more about your special feature. I have several Europa Editions novels on my shelves. Have a great week.

Steph Writes said...

Hi Marie!
Sounds like a great day. I'm heading to the Cape on Friday - what bookstores in Falmouth do you recommend? Thanks!