Hi JoAnn, wow almost a year since the hurricane — that was so awful. I hope Sanibel is coming back and that your place will be okay. We have enjoyed our first six months on the farm. Many renovations done, more to do. Never-ending perhaps. Glad you liked The Postcard. Maybe I’ll catch the live chat. I have heard the author talk about the book — I think on NPR’s book of the Day. France must have chaos at the end of the war – rife with animosities. Her generational tale is a moving look. I think On Hitler’s Mountain would make a good follow-up. It was eye-opening to me. I hope the audio is good, I had the paperback. Have a great week.

Hi Anne: it’s a relatively short book and the new audio of it is fairly good. Not sure if the story will appeal to you — but since it’s Baldwin I think it is worth the effort. See what you think. Cheers.

The Postcard was a solid 5-stars for me. It’s been ages since I read a WWII story and this one struck a chord. It’s interesting that the author chose to frame this as a ‘true novel’ and, listening to an interview, learned she did that out of consideration for descendants of people who live in the same towns as her relatives. She didn’t want them to feel guilt over their ancestors inaction.This book is the current Modern Mrs. Darcy selection and there is a live chat with the translator scheduled later this week. I’m looking forward to it! It sounds like On Hitler’s Mountain could be an interesting follow-up…. and the audio is available on hoopla! You’ve added to my list again!

Thanks Deb. I can’t wait till the desk & chair arrive. I have not been spending time in the room since it has nowhere to sit. But it should be a nice office once it comes together. I will take a photo later to post. The furniture will all be white in the room so we will see. Giovanni’s Room is a bit challenging since the narrator is not always truthful or nice and he knows it, but the story did draw me in as it went along. Perhaps I liked his novel Beale Street a tad more. Still Giovanni’s Room is short & worth a read. Cheers.

Thanks Cindy. I appreciate you stopping by. These bookshelves are courtesy of Ikea. Luckily they hold a lot. I still have 5 boxes on the floor opposite that I need to take to donation. Hmm. Cheers.

Thanks Jinjer. I got this bookcase online from Ikea! It’s helpful that it has legs so that it won’t block the heater vent on the floor. We almost got an Ikea Billy but got this one instead. I think it holds a bit more books. The chair & desk I ordered are coming from Potterybarn. I will take a picture when I get them. Thx for stopping by and I hope all is well with your place in L.A. I will stop by your site to see. Cheers.

Wow Diane, thanks so much for stopping by. I’m glad to hear an update and I will stop by your blog. You always read good ones! I hope you are doing all right and interesting to hear about the houseplants. I’m curious to see what you would think of The Postcard. It’s heartfelt but a bit scattered perhaps. See what you think. Cheers. Happy summer.

Thanks Mark. I will likely take a follow-up photo & post once the desk & chair arrive. I’m pleased how many books this bookcase fit. I still have 5 boxes to take to donation. Hmm. Nice of you to stop by. Enjoy your week.

I have Giovanni’s Room on my long list to read, and I’m glad to see how much you liked it.