Hi All. How did your week go? We’re having a very rainy Sunday here, so I plan to cuddle up on the couch and watch Canada’s game against South Africa in the World Cup. Eeeek. It’s the elimination round, so the losing team will be sent home. I’m sure I’ll be on pins and needles while watching.
Meanwhile this past week I’ve been working on organizing my bookshelves pictured here (there’s also a smaller bookcase on the opposite wall). It all started when I wanted to see how many books by Kazuo Ishiguro I had, and I found out they were in different places on my shelves, which made no sense. So I started to gather books by author, putting them together and placing them into categories.
Fiction is on the left shelves in the photo above, then in the middle shelves are books by Canadian authors (many good ones!). And lower down in the middle are adventure books of polar exploration in Antartica and the Arctic, and then books set in Africa or about Africa. On the right-hand shelves are all nonfiction books. First memoir books, then a few shelves of history and journalism books, then a shelf of rock music memoirs and biographies, before the last shelf of art books and some dog and animal books. The other wall is a bit of a mixture with more natural history, history, and some sports books.
So now I feel I’ve organized them a bit better. And here is a photo of a first edition of Isak Dinesen’s (Karen Blixen’s) book Out of Africa from 1937, which my husband gave me as a gift years ago and which sits on top of the bookcase as a beloved book. Many of the books on my shelves date back to when I worked in bookstores in the 1980s and ’90s, before I switched over to journalism. I rarely buy books anymore because the libraries here have all what I need in print or ebook formats. What about you — do you still have many print books on your shelves?
In book news this week, much is being made about the first trailer release for the upcoming new film adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic Sense and Sensibility. It’s been made for the screen many times before, most notably in the BBC miniseries in 2008, and in the 1995 film with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. The new film, releasing in North America on Oct. 16, appears to be a British production that stars Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor Dashwood and Esme Creed-Miles as sister Marianne. If you want to re-familiarize yourself with the Dashwoods and Austen’s debut novel, there’s still plenty of time to read it before it hits the big screen this fall.
And now I’ll leave you with a review of what I finished lately.
Whistler by Ann Patchett / Harper / 304 pages / 2026
4+ stars. Book 2 on my Summer List turned out to be another good and popular novel by Ann Patchett, which I read as a buddy read with Tina at the blog Turn the Page. It seemed a tighter and less scattered novel than her last one Tom Lake from 2023. But like that novel there’s a present and past timeline that weave throughout the story and give it momentum.
In the present, Daphne Fuller, age 53, and her husband Jonathan by chance run into Daphne’s one-time stepfather (age 76) in NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Daphne hasn’t seen Eddie Triplett in more than 40 years but he had once been married to her mother for a couple years when she was a kid. Back then when she was 9, Daphne and Eddie experienced a traumatic accident that tied them closer together. This episode from 1980 is explored in the past timeline, while the present timeline is consumed by the reacquaintance of Daphne with her stepfather and why his marriage long ago to her mother ended so abruptly.
I found myself pleasantly curious and invested in both the past and present storylines. Daphne seemed much like Ann Patchett herself, who also had two stepfathers, and her older husband Jonathan is a caring character. Though it’s the character of Eddie Triplett, a long-time editor at Random House, who seems to steal the show. He’s an especially genuine and endearing person … and he and Daphne have quite the warm connection (as stepfather and daughter). You won’t soon forget Eddie Triplett after this. Apparently his character was inspired by a real friend (Jim Fox) of Ann Patchett’s who worked at HarperCollins and battled cancer. She has said that the novel is not about her or Jim but is about all the love she had for him.
Both Tina and I also admired the story Eddie tells Daphne in 1980 when the situation they get caught in turns dicey. It’s about a horse named Whistler and his owner Mary Carter, who’s left for dead far out on the range. It’s a story within the story that has much to offer for Eddie and Daphne at the time. You’ll have to get the book to see what all the fuss is about with this novel, which is genuine and moving and is proving popular with a lot of readers. It seems one of Ann’s stronger novels and I liked it a bit better than Tom Lake (2023), The Dutch House (2019), and Run (2007) … with State of Wonder (2011) being another I liked. Her nonfiction is good too.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read and liked any of Patchett’s books? Have a great week.
I love your bookshelves and how you arranged the books. A first edition of Out of Africa! That is such a treasure. Im looking forward to that book for one of my classics club reads. There are books on my shelves, as well as stacks on a spare bedroom night stand. While I love my kindle, especially for chunky books, I can’t imagine not having physical books around.
Fantastic review of Whistler. It is one of my favorites tjiscyear. I did like The Dutch House and have added some of her nonfiction to my Goodreads. I was planning to write something up today and accidentally hit publish on a nonfiction book I’d been scheduling to post!
Thanks Tina! I usually have a lot framed photos of family on my bookshelves too but I took those down so not to get on the internet. I’m glad you like the shelves & my categories. I am old-school too about keeping print books around despite reading ebooks too. Glad to hear you keep print books as well.
I was pleased to read Whistler with you … (i listened to parts on audio as well). And glad to know my review seems all right. I thought it was one of her better novels. Hope to keep up the reading with you. Cheers.
I’m waiting for Whistler to arrive for me at the library. I haven’t been doing well with recently published books lately; I seem to be in a pattern of check out, read a few pages, and return with these. I like your shelves. Our house has one set of built-in-bookshelves, and many years ago (maybe twenty or more?) I donated every book I had (the shelves were double-stacked) on the nine shelves in our dining room to charity and then donated the nine shelves. I was determined to only keep what will fit on the built-in shelves, with a one-in, one-out policy. I’ve done pretty well…though I have a cabinet in my meditation room (what my family calls my reading room) filled with books I’ve collected to put in my Little Library.
Hi Deb, see what you think of Whistler. It’s quite amazing that you donated every book you had years ago and keep your books well under control. I probably should’ve done that too … though in the last move three years ago I donated probably six boxes or so. And I won’t grow more! I still like having some around. You must have good ones for your Little Library. Thx for sharing about your shelves … and good luck with your reading.
Love those bookcases! And congrats to Canada on beating South Africa and advancing in the world cup. That’s awesome. 😀
Thanks Lark. We were all quite excited that Canada advanced into the next round of the World Cup (for the first time!). And I’m pleased you like the bookcases. Pretty stuffed right? Have a great week.
A book shelf re-do always feels good. I will confess that I still love to purchase books. A few stay on my shelves, but mostly I give them to friends or our local Planned Parenthood book sale (a massive event that happens once a year and raises over $500,000).
Hi Helen, it does feel good to have re-organized the bookshelves. I’m glad you’re still a book buyer … and that donate some after you read them. There’s nothing like opening a new book eh? I like ebooks but print books still rock as well. Enjoy your week.
I loved Whistler and I’m a real Patchett fan. Is it possible I liked this one best or just that it is the one I read most recently? My mind often wanders back to Commonwealth. It is very complex and others in book club weren’t so sure about it, but I loved it.
Here is my review of Whistler: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2026/06/review-whistler-by-ann-patchett.html
And of Commonwealth: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2017/02/commonwealth-by-ann-pratchett.html
Hi Anne, thanks for your review links. I will check them out. And good to know you’re a big Patchett fan. You know I never did read Commonwealth. I often like her nonfiction almost more … but I did like Whistler quite a bit. Glad you did as well. It’s a strong one. Have a great week.
Good work on rearranging your bookshelves. They are very pretty and I always feel good when mine get a little ‘re-do’. I have a lot less books than I used to have, but I still have a bunch and we shan’t talk about how many are on my Kindle – ha!! The afternoon book group that I attend is having an ‘Ann Patchett’ month in November. We will read any of her books we like. I’m considering which one, but we will see. I’ll keep Whistler in mind. Have a nice week, Susan!
Hi Kay, thanks the bookcases are still fun to eyeball and re-organize. It’s good you have both print books lying around and ebooks on the Kindle. I know what you mean — I have a ton of ebooks still waiting to be opened, lol. And interesting to hear you have a Patchett month coming in the fall … I’d recommend Whistler and maybe her nonfiction book … These Precious Days … those would be my picks. Have a good week too.
Your bookshelves look so nice. I got rid of most of my physical copies about two years ago. A huge purge it was. I put them in free library boxes all over the city, plus a big pile donated to two local libraries. It didn’t make much sense to keep them anymore since all my reading is done via the Kindle app on my tablet.
A first edition…lucky you! Great review of Whistler: comprehensive, yet spoiler-free. 🙂 It seems we liked it about the same. I’ve read Bel Canto, The Dutch House, and now Whistler, by Ann Patchett. Bel Canto was somewhat disappointing for me, though I know I am in the minority. I liked the latter two about the same, though The Dutch House looms larger in my mind than Whistler does. Maybe it was more than 4* after all. Are you over the book rut? I hope so. I hit one after Whistler; spent a week trying to get into Land without success. Then I returned it to the library only for my loan to come through within a few days again. Oh boy! I started Five two nights ago; it’s so goood! I hope it doesn’t get weird before the end. Enjoy your reading and the week overall!
Hi Carmen, Wowsa that’s quite a book purge you did a while back … but I understand since ebooks are easier to see & handle etc. I still mix a bit of both print and Kindle. I must be old-school, lol. I did purge about 6 boxes or so in the last move … but purging the rest is harder and not in the cards for some years.
I’m glad you think my Whistler review was all right … I wasn’t sure if mentioning the (vague) accident gives too much away … but hell I sort of like a vague outline of the plot in my reviews (even for myself later on). I never finished Bel Canto (truth be told). And I’m still sort of trying to come out of my slow rut but it’s getting a bit better. I’m reading Strout’s new one now which is pretty quick. And great to know that the novel Five is good! So happy to hear that, woohoo!! Do you plan to go back to Land? Or is it impenetrable? I’m glad you’re vetting these books before me. Great updates! Keep it going. I might be reading Under Water after Strout’s since the library had it available. Happy reading to you as well.
Whistler is near the top of the must-read soon list. I really liked your review–definitely whetted my appetite for the book. Sounds like some good memorable characters with heart.
Our living room refresh has caused (enabled/forced) my to redo our main floor bookshelves, and I’ve been sorting through and giving away a fair amount…to make room for me. I also use the library a lot, but my husband likes a bedside stack to pull from so we still buy books. Some I then recycle in various ways and some we keep until the shelves groan.
Your copy of Out of Africa is stunning. I only read it once, but it was one of my father’s favorite books, so perhaps a reread is in order before too long.
I will probably pass on S&S new movie. I loved the Emma Thompson one until the BBC did one with Hattie Morahan as Elinor, and that became my favorite. Much as I love Austen, I don’t feel compelled to watch (suffer through) every adaptation or derivation. My mind’s eye still has the best version 🙂
Hasn’t the World Cup been fun? Such a release of all the political tension that has been clogging my system for way too long. Yesterday, we watched the Germany-Paraguay game, which was incredible actually.
Hi Jane, thanks for the good comments. Yes the World Cup has been interesting and we’ve been watching several of the games. Who knows where it will lead.
Glad you’re enticed by my review of Whistler. See what you think of it. It seems to have quite a bit of heart to it.
And good to know about your bookshelves. It is hard to give books away or to part with them. Though in our last move 3 years ago, I donated about 6 boxes. It seems you’ve been organizing your shelves as well … and your living room refresh sounds great!
I think I plan a fall reread of Out of Africa since it’s been a long while …. but I was a big fan back then. Happy July!
I did read the Dutch House and there is a big possibility that the only reason I enjoyed it was because Tom Hanks read it to me. Nonetheless I have Whistler on my TBR.
Hi Hena, I also listened to the audio of The Dutch House … but I didn’t care for the book much … I liked the beginning of it with the house but then it gets into the mothers who aren’t great and that sort of was bleck for me. But this novel luckily is much different … with good characters and heart. Whistler is much better I think, yay. See what you think.
I’m glad you mentioned Tom Lake. It was a little scattered wasn’t it? Glad to hear this one is a little tighter in structure. It’s on my list. I mean, when she writes a book you have to read it.
Love the shelves. My shelves are all over the place. I just started weeding through what I have in search of a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo. I could have sworn I owned a copy. Nope. I found three copies of Crime and Punishment, two copies of Brothers Karamazov and several other dupes. So needless to say I am thinning things out.
Hi Ti, Yeah I thought Whistler was better than her recent books … though Tom Lake was interesting in ways. She is an author that seems to like nostalgia and exploring the past. Several of her recent books do that.
And interesting to hear about your shelves … 3 copies of C & P ! I guess you went through a Russian Lit phase. Sometimes I like to update an edition … like some of the Hemingway novels I have that are falling apart. No Monte Cristo on my shelves either. Your reading is going well this year … and I’m liking your reviews. Keep it going. Happy July.
It feels so good to organize shelves, doesn’t it? These look just terrific — and make sense!
I’m not a huge fiction reader but I love everything I’ve ever read by Ann Patchett, and that includes at least four novels and many of her essays. This is the only thing on my birthday list this year!
Thanks Jeanie, the organizing of the shelves and books came together but takes a while. I’m glad I got around to it. It looks tidy at the moment, lol.
And if you’re a Patchett fan … I think you will like Whistler. It has a lot of heart to the story. Enjoy and have a great week.
I love your bookshelves and the great thing with bookshelves out in the open is that you can easily see your books. Because stuffed in dresser drawers we are not even sure of what books we have
Really liked your review of the Whistler and after reading your review I am putting a hold on Whistler. It will take 11 weeks but Ann Patchett is a writer I haven’t read yet and want to.
Hi Kathy, thanks, it is pleasing that the books are more visible now that there’s less stuff all jammed together and on top of each one. I’m trying to keep the growth of books in check … and also in categories on the shelves. We’ll see.
I’m glad you thought the review was all right … I never know sometimes. But I think you will like Whistler …. I think it’s one of her better novels and it has much heart to it. See what you think when you get it. Happy July!
It feels good to get the bookshelves organized! I also sort by author and then group genres together. I love the look of organizing by color but it would drive me nuts to have my authors all over the place. I wouldn’t be able to find anything!
I haven’t read Whistler yet, I wished I would’ve grabbed the audio when offered. I’ll apply for it at my library. I haven’t read Pachett yet, but I have a physical copy of Tom Lake that I bought from a library sale. I had heard good things and the cover is so pretty. Plus, Meryl Streep narrates. I’ll have to get to it sometime.
I absolutely love the 1995 Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. I’ve watched it so many times! I tear up every time I watch the scene with Maryanne on the edge with fever and her sister begging her to hang on. I have a close relationship with my sister, so it speaks to me. I didn’t know about the new one, but boy the trailer makes it look so good! I like the actress playing Elinor. She was good in Twisters, a very different kind of movie. Very fun!
Have a wonderful week, Susan!
Hi Rachel, good to know about your shelves. We have similar book sorting methods. You must have a load of books too … !
The audio of Whistler is quite good as Ann reads it … can you get a library audio of it? Tom Lake story is a bit more complex … And Whistler really shines.
Great to know that you’re a fan of the movie of S & S …. You know I need to re-watch the 1995 movie with Emma Thompson as it’s been a long time. You’ll have to see the new one. I think it’ll be big. I might even try to read the novel before the movie comes out … to get geared up. Thanks for your words & Happy July to you. 🙂
I have about 70 pages left to go in Whistler, and I’m simply loving it! I’m so glad I purchased a copy because it will make for a great return read.
Enjoy your reading!! And I hope you don’t get too unbearably hot!
Hi Judith, glad for you stopping by here and that you’re liking Whistler. I’ll see if you’ve written a review on your site. Luckily we haven’t had the wicked heat that you all in the East have had. Knock on wood. Keep to the A/C. And Happy July reading to you.
I love organizing my bookshelves!
I’ve been seeing Whistler on Goodreads, so I’m glad I got to hear your thoughts on it. State of Wonder has been on my TBR for a while! As yet, I have not read anything by Ann Patchett.
Hi Karis, Both Whistler and State of Wonder are probably my favorite novels of Patchett’s. Perhaps State of Wonder might appeal to you more …. it’s interesting since it plays out in the Amazon rainforest and is a bit mysterious. Check it out. And would love to see a pic of your bookshelves …. sometime on your blog? Have a great weekend.