The Sunday Salon: June 9, 2019

A gorgeous weekend at the lake...and, believe it or not, the first time this area has enjoyed three consecutive precipitation-free days since September! No wonder parts of our lawn are still too soggy to mow. The past week has been devoted to outdoor chores and the place is now nearly ready for summer. I still need to get more flowers and my family will come over to help get the docks in this afternoon. It was a good week for reading and listening, too.

Finished this week//

I Miss You When I Blink: Essays

by Mary Laura Philpott, narrated by the author

This memoir in essays reminded me of Kelly Corrigan, Ann Patchett, and Anna Quindlen. The latter are among my favorites and Corrigan isn't far behind. These writers all get women, their lives, the myriad issues impacting us daily, as well as "big picture" concerns. Philpott, though younger and less seasoned than the others, has a style just as engaging and appealing.

I generally prefer listening to memoirs, especially when narrated by the author. Philpott has a pleasing voice which, I felt, added more feeling to her written words.
My rating:

The Chief: The Life and Turbulent Times of Chief Justice John Roberts

by Joan Biskupic

This biography, the third of a current Supreme Court justice I've read this year, was both interesting and informative. It also unsettled me in ways I'm still trying to understand. Look for a review once I've worked it out.

Current reading//

Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love

by Dani Shapiro, narrated by the author

Drop what you're doing and get on your library's hold list for this book now! If you have an audible credit, go ahead and use it. I'm hoping to finish today or tomorrow and am certain this will end up on my list of favorites at the end of the year.

Book club meeting//

Ten of us met for brunch last week to discuss Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I loved the book and so did nearly all of the others. Some found specific plot elements unbelievable, but overall we were willing to suspend disbelief and make adjustments for time/place. We marveled at Owens' writing and are hoping she chooses to write another novel.

Up next is Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger, an author I have wanted to read for years! Several of you have recommended his work and I seem to remember reviews recommending the audio version of this novel. Have you read Krueger?

In the kitchen//

I missed my big kitchen! It's a pleasure to cook dinner again and I did that every night last week, mostly family favorites. Last night I tried something new - Grilled Balsamic Caprese Chicken from Joyful Healthy Eats. It was delicious! I followed the recipe exactly as written, except marinated the chicken for a few hours instead of fifteen minutes.

The week ahead//

My visit to the hair salon can't come soon enough! Though I finally found a good hairdresser (that sounds old-fashioned... are they called stylists now?) in Florida, I am overdue for a cut and color. I'll also get the rest of the flowers in this week, and hopefully we'll put the boat in the water, too. My sister-in-law is planning to visitThursday and Twin B will come home Friday for Father's Day weekend.

How was your week? What are you reading today?