Hi Lesley, great to get your message. Yikes I hope you’re out of the smoke now. We’ve had less smoke than in 2023 which was huge. This week’s forecast here looks golden and the leaves are turning. In the 40s at night! But 60s in the day. It’s perfect for biking and golf, yay. And tennis today. I hope you are seeing a lot of wildlife near Yellowstone & taking pics.
I agree I might pass up on Sally Rooney but won’t miss a Strout book!
I guess we will not go to Banff after all … for the bday this Friday but are enjoying sites & activities nearer to us. So much to do. It’s beautiful right now, yay.
Enjoy your trip. & week.

I was not a fan of Normal People! I listened to the entire book and wound up giving it a 1/5 rating. I doubt I’ll try Intermezzo. But the new Strout book is high on my list! I’m actually thinking of reading all of her books back-to-back. Might be a fun little experience. I had not heard of Small Rain, but I’m intrigued.

As far as Slow Horses, we’ll binge on that season when we get back from our road trip in mid-October. Gary Oldman is brilliant! And Kate Winslet’s new movie sounds like a winner.

How’s the smoke in your area? It was pretty bad in Central Oregon, but now that we’re in Idaho (near Craters of the Moon National Monument and just east of Challis National Forest) we are back to clear, blue skies. Yay! It really was terrible near Unity Lake in Oregon. I had to wear a mask while driving the RV, it was so thick!

I hope you have a fabulous birthday. I read in the comments that you might head up to Banff. Should be a great time of year up there! Cheers!

Hi Haze, thanks! The bday month is flying by … and I’m trying to come up for air as it’s been busy (I have one more week before the big day, lol).
Interesting that you heard about Bates’s Matlock a year ago. I just found out about it — and agree it looks good! We will watch it when it comes on.
Enjoy! And happy September to you.

Hi. Too many bdays & candles. But we might go to Banff next week if the weather is nice. And take the bikes. But we’ll wait for the forecast first. Your bday at Stinson’s was a good idea.
I have yet to read Kushner so that’ll be too bad if I don’t like her books. Hmm. I’m supposed to hear her talk at the book festival here on Oct. 21. I’ll try Creation Lake … but not sure when. I’m on the library list for it.
I like Kathy Bates and didn’t realize she was unhappy. Her new show looks a bit fun. She was good in many roles. I liked Fried Green Tomatoes.
See what you think of the Danzy & Powers novel … Happy reading & September!

Hi Joy, thanks. Bday is coming at the end of next week. Holding onto my younger self for one more week. lol. I’m going to have to check out Matlock.
I hope to get to some of these books, though it probably won’t be right away.
I hope you like them if you get to them. Enjoy your September!

I will read anything by Richard Powers — that made my list instantly. I’ll wait on the new Kushner one as I read The Flamethrowers earlier this year. That book wasn’t what I expected, but it was well written. I listened to it and I think that was a mistake — the narration seemed off — it would have sounded differently in my head, if that makes sense.

I read a sad interview of Kathy Bates this morning. She doesn’t sound happy — but I hope her new show is a success. She says it will be her last role. Remember her in Fried Green Tomatoes?

Also, thanks for the tip on Danzy Senna.

Keep pedaling!!
xo

Matlock sounds fun and cute!

Happy Birthday!

Hi Carmen, thanks. Another bday …. I’ve two weeks left. How are you?
I haven’t heard too many good things about Orbital yet. Let me know if you can get through it. My reading has been slow lately. But I’ll try to post two reviews this week. hmm.
Season 3 of Slow Horses wasn’t our favorite either – it was perhaps the least likable season … the premise was just crazy. But I’m hoping Season 4 gets back on track.
We might get rain this week which we need … as there’s widespread wildfire smoke again … and everything is super dry. Still hoping that September will be a good bday month … if the West doesn’t burn up. Trying to gear up for the next knee op but they haven’t given me a date yet. I hope all is well there. Have a nice September.