Hi Haze, yeah the bales fascinate me too. I love to see them now that we moved out of the city in 2023. They pop up in July and they’re all over the countryside now. Mostly filled with grass and alfalfa shoots. But they are pretty to look at.
You probably read more of the books from the NYT’s Readers’ list. Those seem to be more popular ones. I’m going to put a few on my TBR list for later.
Hope all is well with you. Happy reading.

I’ve seen references to the NYT 100 Best Books, but I haven’t seen the list until now, thanks for linking it! There are a lot of books on that list I haven’t heard of and I’ve only read 8 books on that list! Definitely curious about the others!

Hi Stargazer, I think you might like the audio of Prophet Song. It gets a bit dramatic. See what you think.
Good point about the Readers’ list. You can’t make everyone happy. I think some people pick purely popular books and others pick more literary ones. And perhaps others pick books that seem to stay with them or that they remember. I think the Da Vinci Code came out in 2003 so it would qualify … and it did make a huge impact at the time and sell lots. I liked it, though I’m not sure I’d choose it for the 21st list … but I’d have to think about that.
Hope all is well there. Happy reading.

As I already said (I think), I prefer the Reader’s list to the original NYT Top 100. But I guess it is difficult to create a list which makes everyone happy. Based on a democratic vote, it may be something like The Da Vinci Code being number one, at least (I think) it is the 21st century book, which has sold most copies (which of course doesn’t mean people enjoyed it).

Hi Sam, good to get your take on the Ferrante novels. I’m hoping to read the first one this fall. I’m like the last one on the planet to have read one. It seems you liked the first one best …. and the others a bit less so.
I agree about Prophet Song …. it is scary to even think about. But it seemed quite real. Hope you have a nice weekend & happy reading.

Prophet Song still haunts me – especially in the current political climate when just about anything seems plausible and possible.

Hi Jane, good to hear from you. Yeah thanks, I’m always a bit excited to get the bales … we moved out of the city about year and a half ago … to the country and enjoy it a lot more. We have more space and quiet & gardens too. 🙂
You’re about the third or fourth person whose said they haven’t liked the Ferrante book so that doesn’t bode well … for my buddy read of it this November. But why is it #1? Hmm. Seems an inflated number for the book. As you say: lost in translation.
Glad to hear you play pickleball … seems like fun. I picked up golf this year but still play occasional tennis doubles. Love watching Wimbledon. And I’m sure I’ll be fixed on the Olympics. Hope it’s cooler there. Lately we’ve been frying … but there might be some relief in sight. Enjoy your garden & reading. Hope you update on the native garden as it grows.

I should do the mental exercise of picking my top 10 21st century books–my basic criteria will be, would I reread the book, if yes, then it goes on the to-be-considered list. I read for enjoyment, which is a hyra-type beast in and of itself.

I read My Brilliant Friend shortly after it came out because I was really focused on reading Italy, but I wasn’t enamored with the characters or story and I think the sparkle of the writing might have gotten lost in translation. I have never bothered to read the rest of the series.

Your review is making me rethink whether I want to invest the time in Fresh Water for Flowers. It sounds like a downer of a book, and I don’t need that right now.

I trust you’ll be tuning in for the Olympics. I enjoyed watching Wimbledon and having been playing pickleball this summer, so I am all geared up for tennis as well as the usual summer Olympics events.

Hi. All good to know. Great note about the list etc. I’d like to get to Brotherless Night. I agree there are some on the list I’ve never heard of that now interest me, such as the ones you’ve mentioned. The rankings are likely less interesting and more that the books are on the list in some vicinity. I think I’ve been saving Warmth of Other Suns for a long while now. I counted about 22 on the first NYT list I read … and a number I started but put down for whatever reason. Maybe I’ll talk of this in the next post. Others have said they didn’t like the Ferrante book … but I think a few of us here might try it in November. A little nervous if it’s not likable. I guess my book club disbanded. So maybe that’s a way to try occasional buddy reads. Much on the list for my TBR … thanks for your input. You’ve read a lot of them.

Hi Lesley, yeah I can relate, things are busy here too, so reading is slow. I think you might like Prophet Song on audio – but try a sample first.
Tina & I were going to try My Brilliant Friend in November if you want to join in a buddy read. I’m a bit worried because a few have said they didn’t like it. But I should at least try the first one. I was surprised it was #1 on the list.
I have never made it to Nebraska or Kansas — but I imagine there being a lot of hay bales there. And I guess putting them as white marshmallows in Oregon makes sense. None of them are covered here but some have string around them.
Right now I’m in Red Deer, Alberta, which is 2 hours north of us — working a tennis tournament. It’s suppose to be 93 today. Ouch. Enjoy the Cove!