While I was away earlier this month, I devoured book after book: Stardust, by Neil Gaiman; When the Marquess Met His Match, by Laura Lee Guhrke; The Shore by Sara Taylor; and Saint Mazie by Jami Attenberg. Not to mention, of course, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret for the summer of #BlumeALong.
After a week off of reading (work and household projects consumed almost all of my spare brainspace and energy last week), I'm back with a vengeance.
This week, I'm listening to Drums of Autumn (the fourth of the Outlander series, which is finally moving out of the oh-my-another-bear-attack wilderness of North Carolina and into some more *unexpected* developments). I'm also savoring the last hundred or so pages of The Fatal Flame, the third--and final--of Lyndsay Faye's incredible Timothy Wilde trilogy (seriously, if you like smart, well-researched historical fiction and enjoy 19th-century New York City history, how have you not read these books already??). AND I'm diving into Summer Sisters for the second leg of the #BlumeALong (won't you join us?).
Are you going to add the next installment of your European Adventures soon? I've been eagerly awaiting them! No pressure, but I hope you'll get to Spain by the time I leave for my own European adventure in September. :-)
ReplyDeleteGah! Yes, one of these days I will get back to it, I promise promise. Spain was our last stop, though, so may take me a while if I keep going in order. Do you know where you're going? We were in Barcelona for four or five days, and did a day trip out to Montserrate (GO TO MONTSERRAT IT IS SO WORTH IT).
ReplyDeleteYes, we're going to Barcelona for four days. And I'm so glad that you said Montserrat is worth it! I was debating whether we ought to go since we only have four days in Barcelona, but you've sealed the deal. If you have any other tips for things to do, see, eat, etc., please let me know!
ReplyDeleteWe were on the fence for the same reason, and because it was rainy when we were there so we were worried the views wouldn't be great, but it was absolutely stunningly spectacular. You go up this cable car and then up a funicular and then there are all these trails and paths and ruins--it's really incredible. I only wish we'd gone earlier in the morning so we had more time to kill there. Pack a picnic (there's a cafe but it was packed so we spent forever just waiting to buy a sandwich). It's so incredible.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds awesome! I'll make a note to get there early and pack a picnic lunch. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteI have the first of Lindsay Faye's books and I TOTALLY need to read it. I know it would be something I would love. It looks like you have a great mix this week!
ReplyDelete"oh-my-another-bear-attack wilderness of North Carolina" is the best description of Drums of Autumn ever. Drums of Autumn and Voyager are my least favourite of the series (although I obviously adore them all). I've never heard of the Timothy Wilde trilogy - I guess I should add that to my tbr list...
ReplyDeleteIf you (like me!) have any interest in that time period in NYC, they are fascinating. The first is mostly about the formation of the NYPD, the second slave-catching and race relations in NYC in the 1840s, and the third is proving to be about women's work rights. All against a backdrop of the ever-corrupt Tammany Hall. I love them!
ReplyDeleteSERIOUSLY the first TWENTY hours of audio was approximately SIXTEEN hours of bear attacks. Or getting lost in the woods. Or getting lost in the woods and fearing the threat of bear attacks. Or getting attacked by a bear and therefore getting lost in the woods.
ReplyDeleteNow that Brianna and Robert are making some major life decisions I'm more intrigued again. I'm really glad to hear the series picks up again after this one, though!
Also I *think* I remember that it turned out to be cheaper to buy the whole ticket (train ride to Montserrat, cable car, and funicular once you get there) at the train station in Barcelona, rather than piecemeal once you get there--but maybe Google that to make sure I'm remembering the right trip. I'm 99% certain we bought all-in-one tickets that made it cheaper and easier (less ticket lines) in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI promise the focus will shift from bear attacks to other things in the next book!
ReplyDeleteGah, I really need to get to Gods of Gotham already! It's been chilling on my bookshelf since December (which I guess isn't THAT long of a time, but still).
ReplyDeleteI just checked out Lyndsay Faye on Goodreads and her books sound amazing. I love historical fiction but rarely pick up any set in the US - I always end up with European stuff, but not by conscious choice, I just read what I read. I definitely need to branch out a bit and Faye's series sounds like it's exactly the sort of stuff I like to read.
ReplyDeleteHOW IS IT ALMOST JULY. And also, did you like the Guhrke book? I have very much disliked past books by her, but this most recent series has been fun.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that Jesus was a Roosevelt. Hmmm. I always thought he was a Kennedy. ;)
ReplyDeleteGODS OF GOTHAM DOOOO ITTTTT.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can't wait to get to Summer Sisters! Happy travels!
Lyndsay Faye's books are well worthing checking out if you're into historical fiction. She knows the ins and outs of 19th-century NYC like nobody's business, and it's fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI did! I was a little disappointed that the ending/outcome was fairly predictable from the beginning, but I wasn't sure HOW the ending would come about, so was certainly entertained.
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