Hi. How is everyone doing? I’m away this week in Southern California visiting family, so I will leave a briefer post than usual today. I took this picture of sailboats, which were just a few of the 76 boats competing in the annual Newport to Ensenada sailboat race that spans 125 miles over a couple days. This is a race that my father enjoyed doing with a crew for over 30 years, so watching the boats go by from the pier brought back various memories. He loved sailing and would’ve appreciated the wind on the day, though it was blowing as a headwind from the direction they were going.
So far, it’s been a good trip seeing family I hadn’t seen in a year … and I still plan to make it to the desert to visit a friend and my hometown before returning to the North next weekend.
Currently I’m reading the debut crime novel A Bad Bad Place by Scottish author Frances Crawford about a young 12-year-old protagonist who, while out walking her dog, stumbles upon a dead body and pretty soon folks in her tight-knit community in Glasgow are looking for answers. It’s a bit of a coming-of-age tale and a whodunnit.
I’m also listening to the audiobook of the novel Cape Fever by Nadia Davids about a young Muslim maid in 1920 who comes to work for an enigmatic widower (Mrs. Hattingh) in a decaying manor. She starts seeing some spirits in the house and perhaps all is not what it seems. Both books appear to be good ones though I still have a ways to go with them before deciding how good they are.
Meanwhile, you might have seen that the shortlist of the Women’s Prize for Fiction was announced this past week with these six novels (above) making the list. I’ve read two of these: Virginia Evans’s novel The Correspondent and Lily King’s Heart the Lover and I need to investigate the rest. I know about the novels Dominion and Susan Choi’s novel Flashlight, but the other two: The Mercy Step and Kingfisher I hadn’t heard of before. Have you?
You might recall that the Women’s Prize is awarded annually to the author of the best full-length novel of the year written in English and published in the UK. So even though Virginia Evans, Susan Choi, Addie Citchens, and Lily King are American writers, since their novels were also published in the UK, they qualify. Which of these do you think will win when the Prize is announced on June 11? Hmm, I need to read a couple more before deciding.
Also the shortlist for the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction was announced … with these five books (above) making the list. Of these, I listened to the audio of A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar, which was very good, and I’d also like to get to The White Hot by Quiara Alegría Hudes. I’d say either of these two are favored to win on June 2 as I don’t know of the others … but who knows if they will pull an upset.
You recall that the Carol Shields Prize is an English-language award that “celebrates creativity and excellence in fiction by women and non-binary writers in Canada and the United States.” So we will see which comes out on top. Have you read any of these up for either prize?
And now I will bid you adieu. Last night we had some hard rain at the coast, wow it came down! I hope you are enjoying the end of April along with some good books. Happy reading.
Great photos of the sailboat race! Interesting that the four in the foreground look like the same model of boat. I don’t know if my ex-husband ever sailed in this race, but he’s gone over to Catalina and down to Mexico on his boat (which he used to keep moored in Newport, but is now in San Diego). Anyhow, looks like a beautiful day despite the headwind!
I love coming-of-age stories, so I may look for A Bad Bad Place after you write up your final thoughts.
Enjoy the remainder of your time in California. I’m sure your pups are missing you! 🙂
Hi Lesley, thanks. It’s nice being in SoCal again. Though it’s been cool this week after all that talk last month of there being a heat wave etc.
Those boats that went by were in the same category so look similar … they had staggered start times of different divisions. It reminded me of my Dad’s racing.
I am liking A Bad Bad Place … I think the 2nd half will pick up a bit. The story alternates chapters between young Janey (12) … and her grandmother (66). Will let you know if it stays good.
I’m starting to wish I could stay another week! Cheers. Enjoy your week.
I was planning to go to the PEN/Hemingway Award Ceremony this afternoon which Virginia Evans/The Correspondent has won but my friend just canceled on me. If I go, I have to leave in a few minutes but now I am thinking of watching on Zoom instead.
Have a great trip!
Thanks Constance, I’m enjoying my time in Calif. It sounds like the Zoom would be a good way to watch the PEN award speeches. I’m not sure I even knew that Virginia Evans had won that … interesting. And I see that Maggie Su’s novel Blob was a finalist. I’d like to read that one! Enjoy your week.
If I squint my eyes, the sailboats look like shark fins! Very cool photo. Cape Fever sounds really good!
Hi Erin, yes I think those sails do look like fins. Those are carbon fiber race sails so they look pretty sleek. And I’m enjoying Cape Fever … and will see how it ends maybe today. Not sure what will happen. Have a great week.
Love the sailboat picture. I confess I have not read any of the books you mentioned. My reading this year has been less than it normally is because, frankly, I have been distracted by current events. But I’m trying to remedy that and I’m adding the books you have introduced to me to my own reading list.
Hi Dorothy, thanks I liked seeing the boats sail by close up like that.
It is very hard not to be distracted by news these days in order to read. I’m trying to cut down on my scrolling of it …. and keep to the books but it is hard not to look. Enjoy your week.
Beautiful pictures! Every time I visit the coast I take pictures of boats too, if they are in the vicinity. Lovely day for sailing! I read A Guardian and A Thief, and started Flashlight but abandoned it for later and I still haven’t picked it up again. I read three in the longlist of the Women’s Prize, you read like five. I started The Rarest Fruit, which was one of the New York Times notable books last year. So far I’m liking it but it’s kind of early. Funny thing that the books I have liked the most this year were released last year. Except Crux, nothing from this year yet has had me in thrall. Have a great time in California! Enjoy the boat race (weather permitting), and family and friends as well!
Thanks Carmen, for your kind words. Seeing the boats close up was really fun. Good to know what you’re reading now. Ever since Trust Exercise (bleh), I have not been keen on picking up another of Choi’s books. I felt Flashlight might be a dark slog? It seems so far my reads are from 2025 but I will see if anything comes of 2026 books. Hmm. Keep reading things! I enjoyed Crux too. Bleak but good. Have a great week.
Women’s Prize shortlist: I’ve only read the same two books you have and since I challenge myself to read at least two finalists on the list each year, I have already accomplished my goal. I am very intrigued by Flashlight, but I couldn’t finish Choi’s earlier book, Trust Exercise, so I am not positive I will make much effort to read it.
Carol Shield’s Prize shortlist: So far I have only read A Guardian and a Thief from that shortlist of five. What a depressing story. Is there even any hope in that story at all? I totally love reading novellas so I may give LION a try, but I have done no research on it so I can’t promise I’ll read it anytime soon. Perhaps I’ll wait until the winner is announced.
A lot of help, huh?
I love the beautiful photos of the sail boats. Why do they all look like identical boats/sails? Is that part of the race? I bet it is bittersweet watching the race with memories of your father and his passing so fresh. Hugs!
Thanks Anne for your kind words. Seeing the racing sailboats up close was fun to see. These ones are in the same category division so they look similar and they have the same carbon fiber race sails, which make them go fast in the wind. So cool to watch.
I agree with you on Choi’s books. I haven’t picked up Flashlight yet due to the bleh read of Trust Exercise (ugh). And the Majumdar novel was a whopper. I wish they’d made the damn flight out! What a tease of that by the author, lol.
Happy reading on what you get to next. & Have a great week.
Adding sail on a sailboat to my bucket list.
Hi Jinjer … YES! That’s a great bucket list choice. To go fast on a sailboat on the ocean is like Wow. Even going slow on a sailboat is fun too. Always something to see out there. Hope it happens. Cheers!
I’m glad to hear you are enjoying your So Cal visit! I love that you went to the race that your dad enjoyed so much.
I really liked both the Correspondent and Heart the Lover. I look forward to seeing who wins.
Thanks Helen. My Dad would’ve been pleased we watched the start of the race. Just like old times.
And I’m curious too which book will wins amidst those choices. Stay tuned.
Have a great week.
What a great time you are having, I’m happy for you getting to spend time with family and get to the beach. Must have been neat seeing the boat races, and remembering your dad’s love of the race.
I put a hold on Flashlight and if I’m lucky I will have it by next Saturday. Just finished the Quindlen book and I liked it. Some things were predictable but I liked the women’s relationships and the English teacher’s perspective inher work life.
Thanks Tina, it has been fun staying with my sister & BIL and seeing my nieces and their husbands. And the baby! I will see my brother tomorrow. My sister’s family has left now.
Glad you enjoyed the Quindlen book. You might need to vet Flashlight for me … since Choi’s last novel Trust Exercise wasn’t a great read for me. But see how the new one is. Enjoy your week. & will chat when I get back.
That sounds wonderful, visiting family. I hope you continue to have a good time. It’s still too chill her for sailboats but I look forward to that kind of weather in a month or two!
Hi Jeanie, thanks, it’s been fun to visit relatives here. It is still a bit chilly for sailboats even here, but I hope spring is starting to pop out where you are. So green! The summer is ahead of us, yay. Enjoy your week.
I have been wanting to read Flashlight by Susan Choi–I even had it from the library at one point, but it was so long and I had a limited borrowing time. It looked very worthwhile.
Right now I am not doing at all well planning a list of books to read and following through. I’m going by my gut and whims and impulses at the moment, which has been proving to be fun!
Hi Judith, you seem to be reading well these days … and I’m enjoying your reviews. You might need to vet Flashlight for me sometime … as Choi’s last novel Trust Exercise wasn’t too enjoyable to me, so I’m not too motivated for Flashlight.
Pick up whatever interests you in the moment. I think that’s always a good way to go, lol. Have a great week.
Enjoy your time with family. I too have read Correspondents and have Flashlight on my TBR.
Hi Hena, thanks, it’s been an enjoyable trip. I’ll be interested to hear what you think of Flashlight whenever you get to it. Happy reading. & Enjoy your week.
It sounds like your trip is going very well.
The Women’s Prize short list looks interesting. I am interested in both Flashlight and Heart the Lover, and maybe I will find copies near the end of the year.
I will have to check out the books in the shortlist for the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction since I like to try books by Canadian authors.
Hi Tracy, thanks, the trip has been a really good one. I sort of want to stay longer, lol.
I am hoping to read one more book on both Prize shortlists before the winners are announced in June, hmm. I checked the Carol Shields Prize and unfortunately none of the finalists are Canadians … which seems crazy. They are either American, Indian or Australian … but I thought they had to be in the U.S. or Canada? I never understand who’s eligible for these things. Anyways you better keep with your Canadian list. Cheers. Have a great week.
Well, that is disappointing (about the books on the Carol Shields Prize short list). I did know that it included the US but not even one Canadian author? Well, that is OK. Maybe I will check out the Indian or Australian books.
I have several books by Carol Shields, unread, four novels and one short story book, and I will push them higher up on my TBR list. And a few more of Shields’ books in Kindle format too.
Yes I think reading more Carol Shields books is a great idea. I would also like to get to more of her books. I loved her Stone Diaries when I read it long ago … but haven’t read her other books. I will add another Shields to my agenda for this year sometime. Thumbs up! I hope you enjoy her writing.
I like the sailboat pictures. The sailboats are small and its a little scary when you think how vast the ocean is. I must read the Correspondent and also Lily King. Both authors are new to me and have been getting great reviews.
Hi Kathy, the boats were heeling quite a lot due to strong winds and that always makes me feel a bit uneasy. Have you ever been on a boat heeling a lot?! You have to hold on good, lol.
The two novels you mention are pretty quick reads … they are short & fast. I’d be curious to see what you think. I liked them well enough … but others liked them a lot more. Cheers. Have a good week.
I love the photos you took! I still need to read The Correspondent at some point. Cape Fever sounds really interesting!
Thanks Karis. It was cool to see the boats sail by up closely while I was on the pier. They were going quickly as the winds were blowing strong.
I’d be curious what you think of The Correspondent … I sort of can’t believe how popular it is. Cape Fever is interesting … and I’m not sure where it’s going … but I might finish it today. Will review it sometime. Have a great week.
I immediately became a Carol Shields fan when I read Happenstance long ago, and I tore through every book she had written. It’s wonderful that a Canadian book prize is named after her.
It sounds like you are having a great time here in the US!
Hi Deb, yes it’s been a fun trip here … and has reminded me of many memories too.
I need to read more of Carol Shields. I loved her Stone Diaries long ago but haven’t read more of her books (need to change that). She was a force I think. I’ll have to get Happenstance (thx for the tip). However none of those on the Prize shortlist appear to be Canadians … so not sure if that represents her legacy. Still if it’s good lit … she’d likely be happy. Enjoy your week.
Glad you’re having a good time with your family. Love the sailboat photos! I used to enjoy the races on our lake up in NY and now that we are in CT, I try to get to Newport a couple of times a year, too.
I’m afraid I’ve only read the same two finalists for the Women’s Prize as you. I did borrow Flashlight from the library, but only sampled a chapter or two and never got back to it. Not sure whether I will…
Enjoy the rest of your time in California!
Thanks JoAnn, I’m having a fun visit here. And seeing the boats up close as they passed by was great to see. I’m curious about the boats at Newport you see there.
I hope to finish one more book from these Prize shortlists before the winners are announced but don’t think it will be Flashlight (maybe Dominion and The White Hot). I’m afraid Trust Exercise, threw me off Choi for a good long while.
I hope you are having a good spring & enjoying your books!
I think it would be so fun to compete in a sailboat race like that! Have fun in California. 😀
Thanks Lark. My trip is about to end … but I’ve had a great time. It was so nice to be back. And yes my Dad enjoyed these sailboat races so much. It was fun to see all the sailors competing out there. Enjoy your week.
We had a lot of rain last week at home, too! I’m actually still in Northern California, just went more west into Mendocino. It’s been gorgeous here! We leave to go back home tomorrow morning. What an amazing race! So neat that your father participated in it for 30 years! I hope you enjoy your time in Southern California!
Thanks Rachel. It sounds really nice there. So green with the rain. It seems you had a great excursion to the coast. My trip ends today too … I’ll be flying out later today. It’s always good to be back. Many memories & fun here. & I’m glad my Dad loved the boat so much back then. The race was a highlight to him. Have a great week.
Hope you had a nice and trouble free flight home, Susan! It is so green all over Northern California because of all the rain lately. It’s raining again right now, but I just checked the weather and we’re supposed to get into the high 80s next week!
I know you read The Correspondent a while back, but I can’t recall if you liked or loved it. My daughter asked me about it and we were thinking of putting in a library request for the audio. We’re on the same Libby account with several libraries from Los Angeles to East Bay San Francisco, Montana and Texas between the two of us!
Hi Rachel, it’s hard to believe but I’ve been home already for a week … and my trip is fading into the sunset, sadly. But home is good too.
I’m glad it’s getting green there. We could use some rain here. It’s pretty dry.
And yes I have read The Correspondent … I liked it quite a bit. I think I gave it 4 stars. I had the hardback version but I wonder who reads the audio. I hope you enjoy it. It’s great that you have a number of libraries on your Libby account — that’s awesome! I find having multiple libraries on one’s Libby account really helps get books in a timely fashion. It’s the best! Happy reading.