Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. It's been a busy, fun week but sadly fairly blogless and virtually tweetless. Today I am remedying the situation and visiting blogs and updating my own.
Santa was very good to me in the book department and brought me a copy of Wolf Hall, Edward Rutherford's New York, The Invention of Air: A Story Of Science, Faith, Revolution, And The Birth Of America, and the Too Many Tomatos Cookbook.
I also gave books as gifts and my husband received Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species: A Graphic Adaptation, which I learned about on a fellow blogger's site and which I plan to borrow, my daughter received Watching Baseball Smarter: A Professional Fan's Guide for Beginners, Semi-experts, and Deeply Serious Geeks, my sister-in-law received the latest Nevada Barr Anna Pigeon mystery Borderline, and my brother received the totally wonderful The Book of William: How Shakespeare's First Folio Conquered the World.
My goal for this week is to finish rereading the fourth Diana Gabaldon Jamie/Claire book, The Fiery Cross, finish Act III of The Book of William, read another section of the Uglow bio of George Eliot, and then tackle Lady Vernon and Her Daughter, which I'm thinking will be a quick read. I also will have the next installment of Wilkie Collins' The Woman in White to read once I download and print it. I am really loving reading this book a "teaspoonful" at a time, as Dickens put it. If you want to join in this worldwide group read, visit www.womaninwhite.co.uk.
We have a quiet week ahead--skiing one day, probably Wednesday, but basically the order of the week is to work on my new jigsaw puzzle (I love puzzles but only do one a year during the week between Xmas and New Years), read, tidy up a bit (this morning I reorganized the dvd cabinet), take the dog for walks, and relax.
On the movie front, we went to see It's Complicated on Boxing Day and the whole family loved it. Yes, it's rated R but the teenagers are in high school so we figured nothing can shock them anymore. We're planning to see Sherlock Holmes on New Years Eve, and Young Victoria soon. The BBC Vanity Fair disc 1 arrives today--I'm near the end of the very enjoyable audio version that I've been listening to, so this will be a real treat.
Final note, all systems are go for visiting the Morgan Library in January to see the Austen Exhibit. I have a business trip that is ending in NYC on Thursday, so I have a travel day on Friday...and my flight is not until the afternoon! Can't wait.
Enjoy the season, friends!
When do you think you will go to NYC? I am considering the last weekend in January. It would be fun to rendezvous at the Morgan Library!
ReplyDeleteVery jealous of your Christmas books! The only book I got was a cookbook from the town my dad grew up in. It will probably be full of wonderful recipes but there are none of those glorious pictures real cookbooks have.
ReplyDeleteRutherford is an author I am always intending to return to. I started 'London' and then had it whipped off me by a 'friend' who 'had' to take it on holiday and then never returned it. I suspect his work has never made it onto audio book - just thik of the length! - but I must have a look and see.
ReplyDeleteIt seems you've been having a very pleasant busy time and it sounds like you have several good plans,too, Jane! NYC and the Morgan Library? How much I'd love to go ... but it's just a dream! Have a nice evening. I wish you the best of the season.
ReplyDeleteI love jigsaw puzzles too but just like you we usually only do one a year at Christmas/New Year. Last year it was a vintage 1938 Empire Exhibition one (Glasgow). This year, no jigsaw puzzle to do. Had to make do with watching Laurel and Hardy doing one from the great boxed set which I received. Your puzzle looks great.
ReplyDeleteKatrina
That's a wonderful choice of books you've been given. A friend of mine read Wolf Hall just before Christmas - she thought it was a wonderful book, so it's going to be on my reading list sometime next year.
ReplyDeleteI got The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant (to remind me of my recent holiday in Florence) Our Choice by Al Gore, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote and Einstein, His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson.
Wishing you a Happy New Year
What a lovely bookish holiday season you're having! I'm glad you can see the Austen exhibit -- I can't wait to go myself!
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