Hi Bookworms. How was your week? We’ve hit the official start of summer and I’m sure it’ll be cooking soon. Wherever you are — break out the sunscreen and take a dip in the water. We’ll probably take the dogs for a swim at the river later this week when it hits 80. They love to swim. And Stella has her 14th birthday coming up on July 3rd, so we’re doing everything we can for her as she ages. When we got her as a puppy this blog had been going for a few years, so it spans her life and I’ve posted many photos of her over the years. She is very special and has been a joy to our lives. Here is a photo of Stella from December 2012 just after we had her for a few months. She was sweet then and is bossy now, lol … but still a love.
Meanwhile I’ve been invited to a Western art auction today by a local artist named Jan Roenisch. I have not been before so I’ll check it out and report back on the various artists and their work. I like Jan’s paintings of wildlife and rural landscapes and I hope to buy one if I can. I plan to meet Jan there. I saw her art in a museum and contacted her. She told me about the auction where some of her paintings will be for sale. Do you like her grizzly bear? She also has paintings of dogs, horses, cattle, deer, and much more. See her art is here.
In book news, I’m off to a slow start on my 2026 Summer List — only on Book #2 — but I got waylaid by reading a long fall novel for PW. At nearly 700 pages, this undisclosed novel took too many weeks (from May to June) to finish and review, and it wasn’t nearly as good as I had hoped. After that, my reading took a hiatus. So I need to get back on the wagon. What about you — have you ever hit a reading slump and what did you do to get it back?
In good news, I saw the announcement on Kirkus Reviews that Japanese-British author Kazuo Ishiguro will be releasing a new novel in March 2027 titled: Miss Lambert Steps Aboard Danger. Whoa, this is major news. I repeat: Ishiguro will release a new novel in 2027! Apparently the new novel is “part caper, part spy novel, and part Wodehousean comedy of manners.” Ishiguro is one of my very favorite authors of all time. He’s a master who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2017. I loved his novels Remains of the Day (1989), Never Let Me Go (2005), and Klara and the Sun (2021). But there’s others to read. Which is your favorite?
And now I’ll leave you with the first book I finished on my summer list.
Kin by Tayari Jones / Knopf / 368 pages / 2026
4.5 stars. While I liked Tayari’s last acclaimed novel American Marriage in 2018, I think I like her new novel even better. She’s a great storyteller and this one is told very conversationally and lyrically with many notable lines and descriptions in it. Set in the 1940s and ’50s, it’s about two “cradle friends” — both motherless African American girls raised in rural Louisiana — whose paths diverge and later come back together.
Vernice, whose mother was violently killed when she was a baby, is raised by her colorful Aunt Irene, and goes off to Spelman College in Atlanta, while Annie, raised by her grandmother, heads out on a road trip with friends to Memphis to try to find her long-lost mother.
Both Niecy and Annie come of age away from home … though are tied together by their childhood and their experience of being motherless. Later they find themselves in relationships that play out in defining ways. They write letters to each other about their partners and days in Atlanta and Memphis … and each comes to life as they narrate alternating chapters. Niecy has a strong group of friends at Spelman and a wealthy roommate Joette who becomes close … before she meets Franklin, and Annie works in a bar and dates Bo.
You want to see these close friends through … as Niecy goes through much soul searching about whether to marry her affluent, crippled beau; and Annie is poor and struggles with love while becoming obsessed with finding the mother who abandoned her. Later their paths cross. I can’t say too much more or I’ll give too much away … but I recommend reading it.
Tayari Jones is an impressive writer and you can see she was influenced by the late great Toni Morrison. I hope it doesn’t take her another eight years to write her next book. Oprah picked Kin for her book club in February – as well as American Marriage back in 2018. Both are good.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read her and what did you think? Have a great week.
Have a fantastic time at the art show/auction. I love buying from local artists (not that I have that much, but those I have hold a special place).
Ishiguro with a new novel? Great news! And I think it’s time to add Kin to my TBR list.
Hi Helen, I think you would like Kin. She’s a great writer.
I didn’t buy anything at the art auction but it was a good learning experience and I saw some interesting art. Have a great week.
I love the art. The grizzly and raven picture seems to capture the personality of both animals.
Both the Ishiguro and Jones books are on my “to be read” list and I hope to get to Jones’ book sometime this summer.
An early happy birthday to Stella and may she continue to live long and prosper.
Thanks Dorothy. We will have a good bday for Stella in a week or so. Amazing she’ll be 14.
I’m glad you like the grizzly artwork. I like it a lot too and I’m thinking about whether to buy it. It’s $3k.
I hope you will like Kin when you get to it. I liked the writing.
Enjoy your week.
Great photo of Stella. Maybe we all end up bossy in old age, lol. She’s a beauty.
I have Kin on my library holds but it will be a while before I get my copy. Also, didn’t know about the Isiguro book so I want that as well! Great review. Bummer about that long book for PW.
My reading goals of getting to what I have on the Kindle/shelf and the library holds is going well. So far I have knocked out 4 of them, one from the Kindle (Hotline) and the rest from the library. Still need to write a review for one of those, the nonfcition about art detectives.
Thanks also for the link to the artists work. Love that bear painting.
Thanks Tina. Stella has been a beauty to us … and now a bossy girl. lol.
You’re doing well with your reads. I’m just now emailing you so I will cut this short. I guess I’m wondering about whether to buy this grizzly artwork but it’s $3k. So I’m still thinking whether it’s right. Do I want a grizzly or rather a landscape painting. Chat soon.
Oh, do let us know about the auction. That sounds like so much fun — and inspirational too.
I know what you mean about treating our aging four-legged family members especially well. Lizzie is 14 too and we know her time is shorter so we max it out all we can.
Hi Jeanie, the art auction was fast and furious and I didn’t get the piece I was trying for … but it was a good learning experience and I saw some interesting art.
Yes it’s good to give Lizzie all the love now. Just like we’re doing with Stella. These two deserve the best! Hope you have a great week.
I’m part of the way through KIN and I’m feeling a bit impatient for the action to get going. I will finish it, though.
Happy summer!
Hi Anne, granted there’s not too much action in Kin …. but I love the writing and like the character of Vernice. It might not be for you. See what you think of the ending. Have a great week.
I think I would love to have Stella as my dog. How fortunate you have been to have her for so many years! I’ve been scrambling to get really into a book this summer; I’ve read and I’ve finished books, but I haven’t felt immersed in them (if that makes sense). Good luck with your list, Susan.
Hi Deb. Thanks, very kind of you to say about Stella. She’s been a great girl all these years.
And I hope you find a great read soon. I’m still excited about the novels on my list … I’m in the middle of Patchett’s now. It’s time to get lost in a book, lol. Though my reading has been slow. Enjoy your week.
Happy upcoming birthday to Stella and many more. And I hope she enjoys her swim.
Nice review of Kin which I have on hold at Libby. I will be interested in what happens to Niecy and Annie and how their lives go. As I understand Tayari Jones had planned on writing a different novel but as she said in an interview “the book wasn’t booking”. I love that and so she wrote Kin instead.
Thanks Kathy, we’ll have to have a big bday bash for Stella. Maybe she’ll get a cupcake, lol. She’s the most food-crazed dog ever!
Good to know about Kin. I’m glad Tayari Jones found her way to writing this … and I hope you like it … whenever you get to it. I enjoyed how it unfolded and her descriptions. See what you think. Cheers!
That art show sounds like a lot of fun! And that painting is beautiful!
Hi Erin, so glad you like the painting. I’m thinking about maybe buying it from the artist (it wasn’t at the auction), but we’ll see. The art auction was a bit of a learning experience but I saw various interesting works. It was fun. The auctioneer moved quite quickly. Hope all is well there. Cheers!
Stella is a sweetheart! I always love the photos you post of her. And cool art. She’s not an artist I’ve ever heard of. My brother-in-law is an artist, too, and does western landscapes. His paintings hang in several galleries. And I think they’re amazing. 😀 Have a great week!
Hi Lark, that’s very cool to know about your brother-in-law. Does he have a website with his art? I’d love to see his works. I’m looking for western landscapes for our house.
And thanks for saying that about Stella She is a sweetie and is quite food-crazed, lol. We hope to give her a good bday next week. Maybe a cupcake! Enjoy your week too.
Love your Stella picture! Very sweet! Enjoy the art show – nice painting you shared. Hope you have a good week, Susan!
Thanks Kay. Stella is ready for her bday bash, lol. And I had a good time at the art auction … some interesting art pieces. I’m glad you liked the grizzly painting. Have a great week.
Great news about a new Ishiguro novel–Miss Lambert sounds like just the sort of novel I will enjoy, and the writing will be heavenly. I have not read Klara, but I would have to say I preferred Never Let Me Go–so chilling.
Hi Jane, Yes, I’m stoked about Ishiguro’s upcoming novel too, woohoo. Never Let Me Go … was a heartbreaker & whoa! I think you’d like Klara. All his novels have heart to them. I’d like to read all his books. Cheers!
Stella is a beauty and a sweetheart. I hope she enjoys her upcoming river adventure and birthday celebration. I like that painting of the grizzly. I hope you find great art at affordable prices; there aren’t many of those. 😮 I enjoyed Klara and the Sun, but I haven’t read others of his even though I own digital copies. Maybe I’ll read them between January and March next year and make it an Ishiguro year, together with the new release. Great review of Kin. I bought it, but have been prioritizing the books that come from the library so still haven’t made time for it. I finished Whistler and really liked it. Ann Patchett really knows how to write a juicy story. Did you finish it? I started Land —it’s on the slow side of storytelling, unlike Whistler. Let’s hope it is another good one. I’ll likely finish towards the weekend. What are you reading now? Happy reading week and enjoy the good weather! BTW, when I hit a book rut I simply let it run its course. Boy, how I hate that! I sample books until one sticks.
Hi Carmen, thanks, Stella has been with us all these years and is a dear to us. Appreciate your comments as always … and the art auction was a bit pricey so I didn’t get anything but it was a good learning experience about auctions etc.
An Ishiguro year in 2027 sounds great. I’d like to read more of his fiction as well. I am midway into Patchett’s novel and I’m liking it so far (exploring the past is a good theme) … Good to know about the Land novel. I’m trying to get out of the book rut but I’ve still been slow (much going on in summer to distract me). I have Strout’s new novel to start as well and Under Water. Glad you like the Kin review. Let me know what you think about Land afterwards. Cheers. Enjoy your week.
Happy Birthday to Stella! And thanks for the heads up on both of these authors. They sound excellent!
As for reading slumps, I usually try to return to the next book in a series I’ve really loved, and can count on to draw me in.
Have a great week!
Hi Olivia …. thanks, good tip about getting out of a slump. Gosh a reading slump can be painful. And thx too for the bday wishes for Stella. She’s going to have a nice bday bash next week … maybe even a cupcake!
Hope all is well there with your renovations. Have a good week too.
Too cold to swim for me 😉
I hope you found something you liked at the auction
Thanks for sharing your week, happy reading!
Hi Shelleyrae, I am curious of your average temps in the winter. It is cold there? I can imagine the water would be.
The auction was a good learning experience but I didn’t get anything. Still I saw some interesting pieces. Enjoy your week too Cheers.
Stella is a dear!! My Otter pup turns 16 July 4th. She is not great. Struggles to get around but is not in pain and still full of sass. When I get home from work she leaves signs of her “adventures” like a turned over chair, a flipped water bowl, and sometimes a present in my shoe.
I just reviewed Fox this morning by Joyce Carole Oates. I feel like you have read that one. My gosh, I loved it even given the subject matter. Modern day Lolita is is.
Hi Ti, thanks, Stella … like Otter pup is hanging in there but is not great (mostly her legs are bad). Still she is animated and likes being with us. I am glad that Otter pup is not in pain. We have to get Stella out so she doesn’t have accidents in the house … she is not totally aware when she has to go.
I will check out your recent reviews … and I have not read Fox. Some of her books have scary themes right? I plan to stop by soon. Thanks for coming here. Cheers!
Finally catching up on my favorite blogs. We had a busy week with family visiting, so I’ve been spending the past day getting back into my regular routine. Certainly not hot here. Lower 60s and overcast with rain in the forecast. I hope Stella enjoys her birthday and swim in the river!
Sorry your PW assignment wasn’t a winner. I’ve picked up several books this past month that have wound up in my DNF pile. If a book doesn’t grab me from the get-go, and it doesn’t have high ratings on Goodreads, I don’t push through. I’ve never really had a serious reading slump. Just struggle sometimes to find something that will pull me in.
I haven’t read anything by Tayari Jones, but both of her books are on my list.
Just started The Safekeep after bailing on Happiness Falls. Also listening to Yesteryear, which I’m enjoying. I was prepared to hate the main character, but so far she isn’t annoying me as much as I anticipated.
Will respond to your recent email later today!
Hi Lesley, thanks for your kind comments. Hope you had a great visit with your family. Stella is looking forward to a cupcake next week on her bday, lol.
Good for your tips on reading slumps. I guess I’m just distracted these days with busy summer things … and had to take a break after that long PW book. And hopefully my reading will come back. I’m into Patchett’s novel at the moment via audio of Ann reading it.
Glad you are liking Yesteryear … it’s sort of a crazy thing but a bit interesting. And Safekeep is whoa but potent; I’m curious what she will write next. See what you think. I might try to read more of Tayari Jones’s backlist maybe in the fall.
Enjoy your days. & happy reading.
The only Kazuo Ishiguro book I’ve read is Never Let Me Go, although The Buried Giant has been on my TBR for quite a while! I haven’t read anything by Tayari Jones, but I’ve been seeing Kin everywhere. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks Karis. What did you think of Never Let Me Go … whoa that’s a tense and heartbreaking story! And I haven’t read The Buried Giant but it seems different than his other novels. And it’s good to know that Tayari Jones’s Kin is making the rounds. I liked it. See what you think. Have a great week.
Aw lovely Stella. Something special about dogs and cats when they get older.
Thanks Nicola. Stella is a special old girl. Old cats & dogs tend to have a lot of character and heart, right? Yay.
Hearing about your sweet dogs made me sad, it reminds me of our second cat who died last year. I loved what you said about Stella… “She was sweet then and is bossy now.” Our newish cat, London, has been with us nearly a year now and he is very bossy. I keep telling Glen and Doug that he will be sweet one day.
I am also getting a very slow start on my 20 books of summer, but I already told you that I was having an adjustment period with reading Middlemarch in June, plus having health problems. I have only read three books (plus 500 pages of Middlemarch) so far since June began, and one was not on my 20 books list. I just finished a mystery novel by Ray Bradbury (A Graveyard for Lunatics); overall, it was good, but at first it seemed more like a fantasy. It was part of a trilogy, and if I had not liked the first one years ago, I might have given up on it.
Your review of Kin was good and I went and checked out your review on Goodreads of American Marriage. I will try to get a copy of one those sometime. American Marriage sounds like a hard read though.
Hi Tracy, thanks for your comments. Always kind & thoughtful. And funny to hear about your cat London being a bossy guy. He’ll probably turn sweet with age. Stella’s medication Prednisone makes her hungrier and more assertive. But she’s doing the best she can … just days away from her 14th bday.
I can relate to your slow start on your Summer List challenge. But you still seem to have read a lot. 500 pages of Middlemarch plus a Bradbury novel is no slouch! And I hope you are feeling better health-wise … and got rid of jury duty.
Yeah American Marriage has some hard issues about it … and Kin turns out not overly happy either. But they seem realistic for their times. See what you think if you get to either. Enjoy your week.