Snowy Pumpkins

Well we are getting ready for Halloween, but we’ve had an early start to winter. It’s unusual the amount of snow we’ve gotten so early, but I think next week warmer temperatures are supposed to return, so it should melt away.

I admit I haven’t read anything spooky this month, as many other bloggers have, leading up to Halloween, though I have my sights on a quick read of Shirley Jackson’s 1962 gothic tale “We Have Always Lived in the Castle.” Last year, I read her 1959 classic “The Haunting of Hill House” so I’m trying to continue my education of all things Shirley Jackson. Sometime I’d like to read Ruth Franklin’s 2016 award-winning biography of her called “Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life,” which looks quite good. Have you read it, or any other of Shirley’s tales? 

Meanwhile I’ve been studying for my Canadian citizenship test. I’m not sure when it will be, but my application is in and I’ve been told to study the guidebook for the test. I’m honored to live in this country. If all goes well, I’ll have dual citizenship.

My very first visit to Canada was in 2003 — I was dating this guy, you see, whom I had met in the States but who lived here. Eventually I moved here in 2008, and married later. Hmm so my move wasn’t (exactly) for political reasons, though now I’m scared out of my wits about the upcoming U.S. election. It seems an ulcer in the making. I just want to say: Vote Early everyone, if you haven’t already done so. As Joe said in the debate: “Anyone who’s responsible for that many deaths should not remain as president.” Especially considering he knew early on and did nothing, and didn’t even forewarn the American people with the particulars. So what more do you need to know?!

And now I’ll leave you with a couple reviews of what I finished lately. 

I Give It to You by Valerie Martin / Nan A. Talese / 304 pages / 2020 

This was my first Valerie Martin read and it did not disappoint. If you want to escape with a story about an interesting friendship that starts in Italy over various decades — this novel is for you. It has sort of a memoir-travelogue feel to it, which drew me in from the start, as if these two women were real friends, who had met through travel and continued to stay in touch over years through visits, jobs, travel, and correspondences. 

The narrator Jan is an American writing professor who rents an out-building at a beautiful rural villa in Tuscany during the summer of 1983. She hopes to research and write a book about Mussolini … but instead becomes fascinated by the aristocratic family who owns Villa Chiara where she’s staying, notably her host Beatrice Salviati, also an academic.

Beatrice is an elegant independent divorcee and mother of one son, who soon brings Jan into her confidences about the villa property, the war, and her family’s history there, revealing details about her cousins and mother who still live there, their employees, as well as two deceased uncles — one a Fascist supporter during WWII, and the other who was put in an insane asylum and later killed in the family’s driveway — all of which Jan begins to investigate and piece together.

Captivated, Jan gets Beatrice over time to share more episodes about her upbringing in Italy, the war, college in Boston, her marriage, and changes afoot at Villa Chiara … with Beatrice obliging, “I give it to you.” The two friends’ lives, jobs, and travels go on as they correspond periodically through postcards later in life … with Jan eventually considering whether to use Beatrice’s rich stories about her family to write a novel lightly based on them. You’ll want to stay tuned to see … what becomes of Villa Chiara and their friendship.  

I liked Beatrice who I found quite magnetic with her verve and wit and I really fell into all the episodes she reveals about her life and family. She has troubles with all her relatives really: her son, mother, cousins, uncles, and former husband — still you don’t really blame her. She’s an independent woman who gets things done for herself and the villa. The narrator Jan, whose personal details are not revealed, is more nondescript, just a person interested in her work, and her friend’s life. It’s a tale about friendship, family and writing … that makes you wonder about trust, different perspectives, and whether what you share with each other is there for the taking. 

Your House Will Pay by Steph Cha / Ecco / 320 pages / 2019

Whoa … this crime/family drama novel involves two families — one Korean and one black — whose lives collide right as tensions in Los Angeles are about to boil over after the police shooting of a black teenager. Shawn Matthews remembers a similar kind of pain and anger all too well … since his teenage sister’s death at a convenience store in 1991 shattered his family’s life. He’s an ex-con from his younger years, but now is working for a moving company and doing his best to keep the past behind him.

Grace Park, meanwhile, is living in the Valley working long hours at her Korean-parents’ pharmacy and trying to figure out her sister’s rift with her mother. But then all changes when a drive-by shooting at the pharmacy ruptures Grace’s family, and the investigation into who did it brings up … old links between Shawn’s and Grace’s families. 

Uh-oh. This story is based on a violent killing that happened in Los Angeles in 1991, just a couple weeks after the videotape police beating of Rodney King came out. I didn’t remember it, but boy the author potently re-imagines the events, alternating chapters between Shawn’s and Grace’s perspectives as long hidden, dark family secrets begin to unravel … all the while renewed social unrest is brewing.  I can’t say too much more … 

But whoa, this author deftly re-creates the charged atmosphere in L.A. from 1991 as well as with the recent police protests. Her dialogue, too, and emotions of Shawn and Grace cut across lines and ring true … as they navigate their feelings of grief and culpability to protect the ones they love. Each side at times seems empathetic — as you go back and forth between the families hoping for answers and wondering how it will be resolved … though such killings seldom offer any real closure. Kudos to Steph Cha, a young writer (age 34) out of Los Angeles, for writing such a taut, stirring, and multi-dimensional crime story. She appears to have a very bright career ahead of her.  

That’s all for now.  What about you — have you read these books or authors — and if so, what did you think?

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43 Responses to Snowy Pumpkins

  1. Judy Krueger says:

    Wow, snow already! It has been nice and cool, misty and humid here this week. Fall arrived!
    I have wanted to try Valerie Martin. Thanks for your review.
    I liked your story of how you became a Canadian. Dual citizenship is cool!
    As you know, I too found Your House Will Pay so intriguing and well written.
    The intense anxiety about this election is hard to cope with. I sure hope we get a good result.

    • Susan says:

      Yeah Judy, I hope we do too. Sigh it’s been exhausting with this WH.
      The truth is I never thought about Canada much before 1999 but then it came on the horizon, ha. I’m glad you’re finally getting some cooler temps there … & my husband notes that we get KTLA tv news here so I can see you might even get a drop of rain in the coming week? That would be nice for the plants etc.
      Valeria Martin is pretty good! I’d like to sometime read another of her books. And I’m rooting for Steph Cha for sure! Hope you have a good reading week.

  2. Brian Joseph says:

    Snow already, you really do have long winters.

    I just finished Steven King’s Doctor Sleep. That may be my spooky read for the season. Though I do want to We Have Always Lived in the Castle this year.

    • Susan says:

      Hey Brian: yep looks like the snow zapped our pumpkins too. They’ve become soft & might fall apart before Halloween, too bad. But I look forward to your review of Doctor Sleep & how it figures in with the Shining. I’m behind on my spooky reads this year. Hope you have a great week.

  3. Both of the books reviewed sound interesting.

    Like millions of other Americans who can’t wait for November 3, I’ve already voted and am waiting impatiently to learn if our nightmare will end. If it doesn’t, I may have to join you in Canada. Dual citizenship sounds very attractive about now.

    • Susan says:

      Ha Dorothy — you’re welcome to come stay here – we have a guest room set up for depressed Americans fleeing the end of Democracy as we know it. Sigh. But let’s hold out hope for this election still. I’ve got every body part crossed. Let’s go.
      I noticed that Attica Locke (who you’ve read) blurbed a nice comment on the front cover of Steph Cha’s book cover. One good crime writer to another. And I might like to read another of Valerie Martin’s novels sometime.
      Stay strong this week!

  4. Athira says:

    Good luck to you on the citizenship test! This is definitely a scary time to be in the US. I admit at a high level, it isn’t too bad compared to countries where there are no basic rights, but then again that depends on who you are and what privilege you have (or don’t). For me personally, it’s very different from how it was 12 years ago when I first came here and it’s disappointing.

    Two very strong recommendations here! I have seen Steph Cha’s books around but haven’t read any. This one in particular sounds very good.

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Athira, I hope my citizenship test goes well. I am studying for it. Perhaps if the US election turns out the right way … things will improve and turn around. Till then it’s a total worry. And yeah I think Steph Cha is the real deal …
      Hope your week is good … I plan to stop by your site & see what’s up for Halloween there.

  5. It’s snowing here right now. This isn’t our first snow of the season. It also snowed the first week of October. I’ve read all of Shirley Jackson’s short stories and The Haunting Of Hill House. I like the stories more than the novels. Good luck with your citizenship test!

    • Susan says:

      Thanks AJ. It’s good you’re getting snow there … maybe it will help with that fire in Colorado that I’ve heard about on the news. Which Shirley Jackson tale is your favorite? I’m going to try her Castle novel soon … and I will stop by your site to see what you are reading this week … Cheers!

  6. You are getting snow and we’re still sweating when we walk at seven in the morning? I need a little cool weather soon.

    You are fortunate to live in Canada. My town is crazy for T, and that saddens me so much. The neighbor kitty-cornered from us has a sign in his yard that says (and I am not kidding you): God, Guns, and T 2020. Another man down the street has a huge standee of T. It’s terribly disheartening.

    I’ve just added the Valerie Martin book to my wish list at the library. It sounds like a book I’d enjoy.

    Have a good week, Susan.

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Deb. Gosh how folks are still for T is hard to fathom. It must be very hard there to witness and live with. Not sure I could do it. But it’s good you’re the voice of reason amid the crazies. Hang on.
      I think you might like the Valerie Martin book — I was taken with their friendship and Beatrice. Enjoy.

  7. We talk often in our house of leaving the country to move back to the UK so I am a little jealous of the fact that you actually did the move. Very brave. Of course, now you have snow in October. 🙂

    • Susan says:

      Hi Helen, I’d consider moving to Europe if T wins this time. Canada is not far enough away for me. I didn’t realize you had lived in the UK – are you from there? I’m hoping we get some warmer weather this week. Try to hang on there and we’ll see what happens.

  8. If Trump wins expect a lot more Americans looking North for refuge. 10 more days. I can hardly breathe. You’re in B.C. right? And you got snow already?My Sunday Salon

    • Susan says:

      Hi Anne: we’re in Alberta. The amount of snow is like 8 inches, which is pretty crazy this early. But it should melt this week. We travel to B.C. quite often, it’s not that far. I too am very worried about the election. Stay strong.

      • Les in OR says:

        Hi-jacking a comment thread here to say that I’m not sure where you are in Alberta, but have I mentioned that I lived in Valleyview when I was a toddler? Very cold, according to my mother!

        • Susan says:

          Wow Lesley, I didn’t realize that. I had to look up where Valleyview was on Google. And that is Up there! Looks close to Grand Prairie. We are in Calgary, which is fairly southern for me. What were your parents doing in Alberta?

          • Les in OR says:

            Yes, it’s close to Grand Prairie. My dad had just finished seminary and got his first church (Episcopal) in Valleyview. Can’t say that I remember much about it other than that my eyelashes froze together while my grandparents were visiting and taking pictures of us in the snowy front yard! Prior to Alberta, we had been in Ottawa and Kingston. We left Alberta after a year or so and wound up in Northern California.

  9. Oh I love that snowy picture! We are suppose to have spring, but it’s really cold and rainy today.

    I’ve read We have always lived in the castle last year and The Haunting of Hill House this year. Strange reads, but they do get stuck in your mind!

    Hope you will have a good week and that the weather clears up a bit before the real cold hits you.

    Good luck with you citizenship test!!

    The Sunday Post #16

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Mareli. Who knows when the test will be … they given me no date. How cold does it get there? It seems like the snow might melt this week before the real winter comes hmm. Sounds like you’ve read Jackson’s novels … I need to try another during Halloween week. Have a good one!

  10. Heather says:

    That’s quite the snow pile! Beautiful. Glad it will melt, though, with some warmer temps before winter really sets in. I think it’s going to be a dark one, unfortunately with all the Covid numbers.

    Both those books look good. I’ll have to try them.

    Good luck on your Canadian citizenship! I’m jealous. My friend’s husband is also from Canada but he lives here and all her family is here so I don’t think they’ll be heading there soon but it’d be nice to have a backup! So good for you.

    I’ve read two of Jackson’s stories. Hill House and the Castle one. I saw that film based on a novel about her life on Hulu called Shirley and that was a good one. I’ve meaning to read that bio too. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read and seen about her.

    Have a safe and happy week and enjoy your Halloween weekend too!

    • Susan says:

      Hey Heather thanks for stopping by. Sounds like you are a Shirley guru. She definitely has some spooky kinds of stories … ripe for this time of year. Yeah the U.S. Covid numbers are looking pretty terrible right now … and with no leadership in sight. We can only hope for good news next Tuesday. Canada actually doesn’t feel far enough away if he gets back in. Keep up the hiking down there! I might start snowshoeing if things don’t melt here. Cheers, enjoy your week & books too.

  11. Ti says:

    I would love to be a citizen of Canada right now. Especially if you know who gets another four years.

    Snowy pumpkins! Wow. It is freezing cold here. 59 degrees and high, high winds making it just horrible. I took my pup for a walk early when it wasn’t too bad but it was a short walk as she stepped on a bee during yesterday’s walk and is still favoring her foot a little. She’s ok. No allergic reactions but man, she almost bit my face off when I tried to get the stinger out.

    I am sitting here in sweats and about to break out my lap blanket.

    The election. Oh… we had a horrible Trump parade that my daughter, the new driver got caught in. There was the egging of cars and just ridiculousness going on. She kept her cool but could not get out of it. I cannot wait for all of this to be behind us and it BETTER be behind us.

    • Susan says:

      I agree Ti — I hope the chaos will be behind us soon. And I hope the Winds in Southern California die down! The fire in the OC is really concerning and my parents in Redlands lost power yesterday. I hope you haven’t. Gosh it’s scary with winds like that. We get KTLA channel here for some reason & try to stay in touch with what’s happening there. Also the LA Times.
      I hope Otter Pup is okay today after the bee sting. Yikes. dogs & bees don’t mix well … they get freaked out. At least mine does. Stay strong there!

  12. Les in OR says:

    Good luck with your citizenship test! I wonder if the day will come when I move back to Canada and that my husband will want to get dual citizenship, too. We might have strong opinions about doing so in another week! We voted early and have checked to make sure our ballots were received. Now we’re holding our breath!

    I’ve never heard of Valerie Martin, but that novel sounds wonderful, especially if it has a feel of a travelogue & memoir (two of my favorite genres). I’m adding it to my library list!

    We’re enjoying our time away in the RV, camping a couple of hours north of home, but it’s still a nice little getaway. The campround was a little busier over the weekend, but now it feels like we have our entire loop to ourselves. Well, almost. There’s a herd of elk that likes to visit, which has been fun. I’ve washed the windows so I can get some photos without startling them (or putting myself in danger’s way!). Long walks on the beach have also been lovely, now that the rain has ended. It’s definitely chilly, though. Last night’s temps were near freezing.

    Take care. Stay safe!

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Lesley. It’s nice you got out & away in the RV. I hope you will post some of the elk photos on your site. That’s very cool! What a great week to be out in nature and to miss the news. Sounds beautiful there. I’m crossing my fingers hard about the election … and not watching much news this week. If the wrong guy wins, you’re welcome to return to Canada. Though I don’t think it’s far enough away … if he wins, I’d like to go farther. Enjoy your trip & week!

    • Susan says:

      ps. I’m replying to your comment above … about freezing in Valleyview … good thing you wound up in Northern Calif. – much more palatable. My husband is from Kingston and we like & visit there quite a bit & in Ottawa too. Nice.

  13. We got ice outside right now and that’s crazy weather for here in central Oklahoma where it’s usually so hot even the devil himself stays away. The lights keep flicking here so I think we’ll lose power. Good thing I can read by candles!

    I’m also very scared for this election. My partner and I are hoping for Biden/Harris but we just fear that Trump will win that second term. It’s kind of like watching George W Bush all over again, only so much worse…

    • Susan says:

      Hi Carrie / thanks for stopping by! That’s crazy weather for Oklahoma. I hope you keep your power. It’s been windy everywhere too.
      I’m holding out hope for Biden/Harris but it is scary … I’m trying not too much news b/c I get freaked & nervous about what will happen. Keep up the fight!

  14. I think I may need to apply for Canadian citizenship if Trump wins again! I’m SO nervous.

    You have me intrigued by Your House Will Pay. I just put an audiobook hold on it. Can’t wait.

    • Susan says:

      Hi Susie: I think you’ll like the audio of Your House Will Pay … it’s read by two people and is quite well done! I’m very nervous too about the election … but just today I’m thinking B will win — gosh I hope I’m not setting myself up for crushing disappointment. Come to Canada if he doesn’t win!

  15. Oh I’m so jealous you’re having winter weather. It’s still so warm here in Florida. Not intolerable, at least. Good luck with your citizenship test studies, that’s exciting!

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Monika … I wish they’d give me a date for the test but I haven’t heard yet when it will be. Hopefully November. Today we are having rain on top of snow which is sort of a mess. Hope you all cool off soon. Enjoy your week!

  16. I go through a lot of “what if” moments in my life, like what if I had moved to Canada when I first wanted to go, during the Vietnam War. By the time I realized I really should have gone, of course, there were too many roots dug deep into this country. Sigh.

    I have already sent in my ballot, and have Ballot Tracker, so I got a notice that they received it. That is reassuring, of course.

    I am definitely worried that, with the conservatively packed Supreme Court, any voting issues will not turn out well.

    Hoping against hope, however.

    I like the look of the Valerie Martin book.

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

    • Susan says:

      Hey Laurel, let’s hang on to hope that B will win the presidency … and perhaps we’ll get the senate too. Canada has much to like but in terms of T – I don’t think it’s far enough away. Even before the election we hear about him everyday up here which is like nails on a chalkboard. So he needs to be removed. I hope you have a good week despite all the nervousness we all feel. Stay strong.

  17. Hi Susan,

    I just found your blog via Helen’s Book Blog. I’m happy to “meet” another book blogging Susan 🙂

    Good luck on your Canadian citizenship test! My step-grandfather was Canadian, so I grew up visiting him and my grandma in Vancouver often. He loved showing us around the city and was so proud of his country.

    I think a lot of Americans have considered moving to Canada over the past four years. I certainly have 🙁 My heart aches for my poor country.

    YOUR HOUSE WILL PAY sounds intense. I’m not sure I could handle it right now, but I do want to read it at some point.

    Susan
    http://www.blogginboutbooks.com

    • Susan says:

      Hey Susan – thanks for stopping by! Another Susan, terrific. I have found it to be quite common a name … a few of my friends here are Susans too. It’s nice you have visited Vancouver with your relatives there, neat city. I have found Canada a big & kind country and different with its parliamentary style gov’t.
      And I can see why it wouldn’t be an apt time to read Cha’s crime story … it is a bit intense … too much anxiety all around at the moment. I need a calming novel too. I’ll stop by your site soon – thanks. Cheers.

  18. Diane says:

    Susan, the snow looks so pretty against the pumpkin:) We might have snow here tomorrow as well. I just downloaded the Valerie Martin book that you wrote about. I’ve enjoyed this author in the past.

    • Susan says:

      Hi Diane, the first snow always seems pretty … it has melted now and has gone back to fall weather. But the pumpkins didn’t survive! Hope you have a wonderful Halloween. Glad to hear you’ve liked other Valerie Martin’s books … I hope to read another of hers sometime.

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