Hi all. Thanks for your well wishes about our trip. We had a nice drive from Canada and arrived in California four days later. The dogs enjoyed our overnights at hotels from their dog pillows, lol. We took an interesting tour at the Hoover Dam and saw Lake Mead and various sights along the way. You can see SoCal, at left, still has some nice snowpack in the mountains … and less so in the desert of Nevada, photos below. It’s nice to be back in my hometown, where I’m checking in on my parents. Today my Dad is waging war with his weeding tool on the dandelions in the yard. He’s keeping them at bay.
I have taken a bit of a blogging break while being here. Still I hope to visit your sites when I can. Currently I’m reading Liane Moriarty’s 2021 novel Apples Never Fall for my book club discussion in early May. It’s a bit long at 469 pages and is about an Australian family whose mother goes missing. The story keeps you guessing a bit. I will see where it goes. I’m also just starting an audio of Scottish writer Muriel Spark’s 1988 novel A Far Cry From Kensington, which seems pleasing. I have not read Spark before, but she appears to be a gem of a writer and received much acclaim during her life (1918-2006).
For a survey question this month, I am wondering when is the preferred time you do the majority of your reading and where do you like to read most?
I will start us off with an answer. For some reason, I really enjoy reading when I first wake up, early morning I’ll stay in bed and read for a while before the day starts. Then I get up and conquer the day, lol. It’s a quiet time that I like. I also like to read at night right before I go to sleep. My audio listening happens during the day, mostly on walks, while doing yard work, or driving. What about you — where and when does most of your reading take place? Do you have a comfy chair, sofa, or a patio you like to sit in while reading?
And now I’ll leave you with a few short reviews of what I finished lately.
True Grit by Charles Portis / Simon & Schuster / 215 pages / 1968
I liked the main character 14-year-old Mattie Ross from beginning to end. Her voice looms large in this classic Western set in the 1870s in which she goes after her father’s killer into Indian Territory with the help of Marshall Rooster Cogburn and Texas Ranger La Boeuf.
I listened to the audio version read by author Donna Tartt who is part Mattie Ross I think. So good. This one is a keeper. You could finish the story and then start it again from the beginning. Donna Tartt is an enthusiastic reader and the audio includes a postscript essay by Tartt, which talks about her family’s love of the novel and her thoughts about it. I only lament that Tartt has not read for more audios. She has a Southern accent, which is perfect for this tale, which starts in Arkansas.
But for some reason, I never saw the movie True Grit — either the 1969 version with John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn, or the 2010 version with Jeff Bridges as Cogburn and Hailee Steinfield as Mattie Ross. I’d like to go back and watch both, if I can find them. Did you see them?
The Caretaker by Ron Rash / Doubleday / 252 pages / 2023
I seem to be in the minority on this novel, which received many high marks. Some of the writing is really well done, but I didn’t really believe or warm to the premise too much. It’s hard to say more without giving away the story, but it’s a sticky situation.
Set in the 1950s in rural North Carolina, a boy (Jacob) gets involved with a poor girl (Naomi) who is a seasonal maid who his parents don’t want him to mix with. They elope anyways and his parents pretty much disown him. Then he’s drafted into the Korean War and asks a friend (Blackburn) to watch out for his pregnant wife while he’s away. Jacob spends a year or so there and gets into a dangerous firefight. Meanwhile things at home take a turn due to a dubious secret plot that upends their lives. Only time will tell if they find out about it.
This is my second novel I’ve read by Ron Rash whose novel Serena I read years ago. I often like his Appalachian settings, and while I have liked his books and characters, they haven’t been a total home run for me yet. Still his books are worth checking out.
The Last Days of Hitler by Hugh Trevor-Roper / 288 pages / 1947
This book is often cited on lists of the top nonfiction of the past century as a significant historical work. First written in 1947, the author was appointed by British intelligence in Germany to write a report investigating the final days of Hitler and those around him at the end of WWII in April 1945 and how his death was confirmed and what happened in the underground Berlin bunker where he was and the months leading up to his suicide at 56 with Eva Braun, 33. They were married 40 hours before their deaths.
The book also offers a bit of a sprawling picture of the Nazis, their party ranks and power plays among potential successors to Hitler in the final days. Some where deluded in thinking they could continue on even as the Russian and Allied forces were closing in … that the Allies would allow the Nazis even to exist after surrender. They were nuts in various ways.
The book focuses quite a bit on Nazi architect Albert Speer and his thoughts on Hitler, as well as evil Heinrich Himmler and Hermann Goring, and it made me feel a bit sick listening to the audio about the totalitarian regime. But for historical purposes and other reasons needs to be known about so it can be avoided at all costs. It’s a dark time and lesson in history.
That’s all for now. Sorry to end on such a grim thing. I hesitated about whether to include a review of such a book here, but if we never study past history and its horrors then how do we know and learn and get beyond such dark events. I was a history major in college and then went into journalism, but I mostly read fiction now, lol. Fiction is the antidote.
I hope you all are having a nice April. The roses are starting to burst here so the next post will likely include colorful roses. What about you — have you read any of these books or authors, and if so what did you think?
Happy to hear your trip went well and you are back visiting your parents. I bet the dogs loved the trip.
I read Apples Never Fall and was never clear why about the title, but I did like the book. Never have read True Grit but with your endorsement here I think I may add that to this years list of books to grab. I have seen both versions of the movie and I can say the one with Jeff Bridges was excellent. It displayed how dirty things were at the time, more true to life, than the squeaky clean orginal version.
For reading I tend to start up around 10 a.m. and love it when I can sit outside. The patio, protecting me from the sun in summer, or if it’s a little chilly I sit in the yard and let the sun warm me. When Loki naps I get more reading in most days around 1:00. Like clockwork!
Love your round up and will post some photos of out blooms soon.
Thanks Tina, great hearing from you. Your patio sounds perfect for reading, warm but not too hot, cozy but outside. And I’m glad you told me about the True Grit movie. I’d still like to see it. The book of it is enjoyable too. Mattie Ross is quite a character. Have a great week there.
I remember really liking True Grit — more than I expected to, even. I did see the more recent movie, but can’t remember much of what I thought of it… I think I liked it, though.
Thanks Nicky, I appreciate you stopping by. I agree with you too — True Grit was better than I’d thought it’d be. I was not expecting Mattie do be so colorful a character. I’ll check out your site too, thanks. Happy April.
I hope your visit with your parents is going well, too bad we’re getting rain while you’re here.
I like to read in the afternoon and evening, it feels like my treat after “doing” my day; just the opposite of your routine.
Hi Helen, thanks it’s nice being in SoCal and seeing my parents. The weather has been up & down but we haven’t had rain yet. It’s been cool at the beach though!
It’s nice you can enjoy reading after work and relax. Have a great week.
Hi Susan, just a test to see if I can comment.
I got your comment Stargazer! I’m sorry if my site has been giving you problems! I will check to see if there’s anything I can do on this end.
Wonderful photos! Good to hear, you’ve had a good trip so far. I never read first thing in the morning – guess, I’d rather sleep.;-) I listen to my audiobook before falling asleep. It’s like have a goodnight story read to you. A lot of my reading is done on my commute to work or just walking around doing errands, etc.
Thanks Stargazer for your patience on the comments. I will try to get more photos here. I remember back when I was commuting a lot — commuting is a great time to listen to audios. I used to take the subway each day when I lived in D.C. and it was bliss to listen to audios. It’s nice you can do your audios before falling asleep. I hope your April is nice.
Sounds like the trip is going well and that you all are really enjoying the time visit. I feel for your dad…sometimes it’s a victory just to break even with all the springtime weeds that pop up.
I really like True Grit, having read it a couple of times and seen both movie versions (I much prefer the original), but haven’t listened to it in audiobook format. Sounds like that may be worth it just because of Tartt’s reading.
As for your survey question: I find myself working in reading time pretty much anytime of the day I can manage it, but I almost never miss beginning the day while reading for 30 minutes or so over a light breakfast/brunch. I always shoot for about 100 pages a day because I am always somewhat anxious to get on to another book that’s caught my eye. I’m one of those slow-but-steady kind of readers.
Hi Sam, thanks the trip is going well and the long drive was pretty easy and interesting.
That’s good you shoot for 100 pages per day. I should boost my page count to that as well. I will try, though some days are better than others. I think around breakfast is a perfect time to read. I feel better focused around then too.
I’m glad you have liked True Grit the book and the movie — my husband prefers the original too. I hope I can find the movie. See what you think of the Donna Tartt audio version. She plays a good Mattie Ross.
Battling the weeds in the spring seems like a full-time job, lol. But my Dad is doing pretty well with it. Enjoy your week & reading.
Muriel Spark is indeed a great author, though I have not revisited her novels for a long time — I love both the book and the film of “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.” All these book blogs keep reminding me of books I want to reread, and I don’t even have time for the ones I am reading for the first time. I’ll look forward to your reviews when you read “A Far Cry from Kensington.”
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi Mae, thanks for letting me know about Muriel Spark. I hope to read her Jean Brodie novel after the Kensington one. I’m enjoying it. Stay tuned for the review next time. Cheers!
That’s quite a bit of snow on the mountains! San Bernadino, right? It’s been a long, long time since I was up there in Big Bear. Sure looks pretty (and not smoggy!).
I haven’t been blogging since we left on our trip. I should post something… I finished Demon Copperhead yesterday afternoon, so I’ll get review up shortly. I’ve stalled on my audiobook (Fairy Tale by Stephen King) and it’s not calling to me, so we’ll see if I finish that one.
To answer your survey question, I do most of my reading at night in bed. I can read for a couple of hours before I start to fall asleep, so that works for me. On a rare occasion, I’ll read in the afternoon for an hour or so, but it’s not my usual routine. I also read at lunchtime. Like you, I listen to audiobooks when I go for my walks, work in the yard, or am driving to & fro to the grocery store. With that said, when we’re on the road, I tend to read more during the daytime hours, especially if it’s rainy or we aren’t out sightseeing.
I remember seeing the movie Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn) when I was a teenager, but I’ve never read True Grit. The audio sounds like a winner!
Enjoy the rest of your time in SoCal. When do you head back home? We’re on our way to Santa Rosa tomorrow, then over to Carmichael on Wednesday. We’ll be up by Shasta in another week, then making our way back to Oregon the following week. We’ve had rain and sunshine, but it’s still been pretty mild. Looking forward to some 70 degree temps!
Hi Lesley, thanks, it’s nice being here, though we are having a cool weekend in SoCal like in the 50s! But it should be back in the 80s this week. They do have snow at Big Bear & the mountains, wow. It’s a nice view from here.
You finished a long novel in Copperhead. That one took me a long while last year. It seems you read a lot of pages at night. I start off well but then crash hard, lol, so don’t finish much then.
It’s cool you’ll be near Shasta. I’ve always wanted to go there. I think I was there as a kid but now don’t remember much. I hope you have nice travels. We’ll be going back sometime at the beginning of May. Have fun, talk again soon.
Glad you are enjoying your trip. Interesting that you are reading Apples Never Fall. I did like early Liane Moriarty books but haven’t loved the later ones I have read
I tend to read in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep. I also listen to audiobooks when driving
Hi Marg, I’m sort of agreeing with you on the Moriarty novels. This latest one I’m not so sure about. I’m midway in it, but not sure it’s for me. Still it’s readable.
Interesting about your reading habits. Middle of the night reading, wow! Audios are so good for long drives. Have a great week. thx for stopping by.
Hi Susan, Glad you had a good time in California and it sounds like the dogs enjoyed their new beds. LoL
I saw the remake of True Grit with Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfield and I thought it was phenomenal. Hailee Steinfield in particular was so good as Mattie. Now I must read the book because I started to read and immediately saw that Donna Tartt was doing a great job of narration and the book itself is a classic so I must read True Grit soon.
Regarding the survey I read anywhere and everywhere but I am thinking I would like to block out a certain amount of time and read primarily only then so I can explore the outdoors more.
Hi Kathy, thanks, our drive to Calif went well and we’ll be here till the end of the month, yay. It seems you’re a versatile reader — any time is good and any place.
I think you’d like the True Grit book as well. I was surprised to hear Donna Tartt reads the audio … as she seems quite private a person. But she does it well.
And thx for letting me know about the last movie of True Grit — it does seem good and I don’t know why I missed it. I must see it sometime. Have a great week.
Happy to hear you had a nice trip! I’ve been to Lake Mead several times, but years ago. We used to go water skiing there. I’d like to tour Hoover Dam at some point, although after 9/11 I’ve heard the tours are more restrictive that they used to be.
I like to read in the evening on my living room couch and sometimes in bed. I mostly listen to audios during the day while I’m doing things and while going on runs or walks. I think The Last Days of Hitler would be a tough read, but as you say an important one.
Hi Rachel, thanks, the trip has been good. Interesting to hear you’ve been to Lake Mead a few times. It was our first time and now I wouldn’t mind going back another time. It’s a neat area. The Dam was cool too — they still do some tours.
Like you, it’s sounds like many bloggers are readers at night; a good thing to wind down the day.
The Nazis book was quite tough — I wasn’t sure I’d make it through. Though it had some tidbits in there — about the end of the war etc.
Have a great week. Happy April.
What time do I like to read? I am a bedtime reader. The only problem with that is if I wait too late, I may fall asleep. And I read slower now. I am trying to cultivate the habit of reading some in the morning or the afternoon (in addition to, not instead of bedtime), mainly so that I can read more ebooks. But that is not going so well.
I read True Grit for the first time in 2016, and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It made me want to read all of the novels by Portis but I haven’t done that yet. We watched the most recent adaptation but not the John Wayne movie.
Richard J. Evans wrote a three-volume set of books about the Third Reich, which my husband read (and still has the books). I could only read the first one, The Coming of the Third Reich, which covered the 1920s in Germany, and ends at 1933. That was so depressing that I could not read books 2 and 3. My husband reads a lot of nonfiction about WWII, I stick more with historical fiction on that subject.
It is raining here in the Santa Barbara area this weekend, but I think it must not be raining in the area where you are?
Hi Tracy, good to hear from you. We had some rain last night in Redlands and today is cool and overcast. But next week should be sun & warmer temps again. I hope the rain helps your spring flowers there.
I know what you mean about the Third Reich books. I had a hard time finishing this one … and need to take a long break before anything like that again. I think the book was due to my husband too, we listened on the car drive. Husbands in general read too much war nonfiction right?
I’m glad you liked True Grit too. It surprised me as well that I liked it a lot. It was likely due to Mattie Ross’s lively narration which makes it a winner. I need to find the movie.
And you’re a bedtime reader. That puts you with a number of others who’ve shared their habits. I often have trouble staying awake reading then. But it is a good and relaxing time to enjoy it. Have a nice Sunday. & happy reading.
I am glad you made it safely to SoCal, Susan. The snowcapped mountains are a pretty sight. I hope are enjoying your reading! It’s been awhile since I read something by Liane Moriarty.
I like to spend my lunch time reading on work days (when I am not too busy working through them). If I am working in the office, I close the door to the office room and sit at the little table by the window to read. If am home, I sometimes just read at my desk or I move to the couch where’s it a bit more comfortable. These days, I seem to do most of my reading before bed and am able to get in an hour or so. I love laying in bed reading. Gracie will come lay on me, whether I’m on my side or back, and keep me company. I like to read while waiting for my daughter to get out of her activities on the days she has something going on (usually in the car) or while I’m waiting for for a doctor’s or dentist’s visit. Sometimes I read after work for a little bit, putting off doing chores. My bed is probably my favorite spot to read, but I also enjoy sitting by the front window on the couch in my personal library to read or, if my daughter wants to be “alone” in the library (her preferred hang out when I’m not working in there as that’s my home office space), I move to the family room and stretch out on the couch to read. I put “alone” in quotes because my living room and personal library space are fairly open to each other, although divided by a low wall. So, alone but still within sight and talking distance. 🙂 I really should spend more time reading on the patio, but I rarely do, even when the weather is nice. It’s too loud with the rain hitting the patio cover when it’s raining, otherwise I would love to sit out there during the rain.
I hope you have a great visit and week!
Thanks LF, we are having a nice visit here in SoCal and it’s good to be here, especially if it warms up next week again. The beach area has been chilly!
It seems you read at various times but like bedtime reading best. So you are in good company with other survey takers. I think night time reading in bed is like the #1 choice so far. Especially with Gracie’s company, that must be nice.
I will see how this Liane Moriarty book pans out. It’s quite lengthy.
I hope you have a great week. thx for stopping by. Chat soon.
Sounds like you road trip to CA went well and I’m glad you’re enjoying the trip. Too bad about The Caretaker. I haven’t read the author before and have this one on my radar. True Grit is a relatively recent addition to my list. Jane wrote about it a few months ago, too. Sounds like audio is the way to go.
My reading pattern varies, but I try to set aside at least an hour in the afternoon. If I’m not too tired, I can read in the late evening before bed, too. If I read in the morning, it’s usually an audiobook on my walk!
Hi JoAnn, I think you’d like True Grit on audio — pretty short too. And see what you think of The Caretaker. Others liked it much more than I did.
It’s nice you set aside an hour in the afternoons for reading. Blissful.
Enjoy your week.
I’m glad your trip went well and you are enjoying SoCal. I hope the weather holds up. I like the pictures. All your reads sound good. I saw the 2010 version of True Grit. Hailee Steinfeld was fantastic as Mattie, but Jeff Bridges mumbled his way through the movie. It’s trying to decipher what he was saying. It doesn’t help that the character was a drunk. In spite of that the movie is very good. Regarding your survey, I read at my kitchen table for two hours at night, and then, if I have more time, before bedtime. In the last two weeks I’ve been reading for two hours in the afternoon.
Hi Carmen, thanks we made it down here and there’s blue skies this week.
That’s great you read for two hours at a time. I need to be more disciplined myself but things get in the way. And I’m happy to hear that Steinfeld is terrific as Matttie Ross. I need to see it but so far haven’t found it.
Wishing you a great week.
Try Apple Store, maybe you can rent it.
Thanks Carmen, I’ll check it out.
It’s wonderful that your trip is going well. (BTW, dandelions are being embraced by the naturalist community as a hardy first pollinator in spring. I’ve been persuaded to keep what many consider a vile weed.)
I’m glad to see your thoughts about True Grit. I’ve been thinking about suggesting that book to our book group, and I wondered if others would enjoy it as much as I did. I would love to read more of Portis, and I think I will one of these days.
Hi Deb, thanks good point. My sister also told me about embracing dandelions as an early pollinator. Luckily the clover is all around still for the bees as are a ton of flowers here in Calif. but my Dad seems to despise the yellow dandelions. lol.
And True Grit might be a good read for book club. I think i’d like to read others of the author’s as well. I hope you have a great week.
Dandelions have, sadly, been disparaged for years by gardeners.
You’re right Deb. They have.
I’m glad you are enjoying your trip, the scenery is stunning!
I usually start reading just after lunchtime so I can finish the book by the time I need to start dinner. That leaves me with the nights to write reviews generally.
Given everything I wish more people took the time to study history
Wishing you a happy reading week
Thanks Shelleyrae, the mountain views in Calif right now are wonderful.
You seem to be a really fast reader, finishing a number of books each week. Glad to know your schedule of reading. It seems to work for you!
Enjoy your week as well.
I read True Grit a few years ago and was delighted by it. We just got back from a big road trip to Utah and we saw plenty of snow on the mountains. In fact one day it snowed where we were staying. Lovely. We had to be prepared for all kinds of weather. Love your trip photos.
Thanks Anne, I thought of your trip as we went went thru Salt Lake City and signs for Moab somewhere. I hope you had a great time at the National Parks and I’ll stop by your site to find out. It was a good time for True Grit. Cheers.
I would love to be able to read in the evening or at night, but I my eyes get too heavy. All I can do is scroll TikTok at night.
Lately my kitty has been getting me up at 6am so I make a coffee and get back in bed. Kitty settles down on my lap and I read until 8am when I have to fire up my computer so I can clock in at 8:30am for work.
I read at my desk on my breaks or if there’s absolutely no work whatsoever to do.
On weekends I’m reading off and on throughout the day, in between doing other stuff.
Hi Jinjer, nice to hear from you. I like early morning reading too. 6 to 8 is perfect. My dogs wake me up as well lol…. sort of like Marilyn does with you.
You seem a versatile reader at various times & places. I don’t read many pages at night either. Too sleepy. I hope you have a great week. Happy reading.
I agree, Donna Tartt should do more readings–I thought her voice spot on for True Grit. Like you, I am a Maddie fan–such a memorable character. I watched the more recent movie after reading the book and thought it quite good–not sure if you ever watched Dickinson, but the actress who plays Emily also plays Maddie–it took me most of the movie to figure out where I knew her from.
I’ll probably read The Last Days of Hitler at some point, but after I am done waging the Civil War 🙂
I forgot to answer your survey question. I love to read first thing in the morning, but rarely do. I do most of my reading before/after dinner. I like to make dinners that require some time in the oven so I can catch some reading time between meal prep and actually eating. I usually read in my big comfy chair. I love to read in bed at night, but my early stage macular degeneration means I need bright light to read and my head lamp is not comfortable so reading at night before sleep is waning.
Hi Jane, great comments. Glad you are a Maddie fan. And where is Donna Tartt when we need her? lol. I will have to find the movie of it.
I look forward to your Civil War phase and reviews.
And your reading times & places sound good & comfy. I too try to read some pages while the dinner is cooking. I might try to adjust some of my reading times based on the good survey comments I received. Cheers / thanks!