Sorry for being AWOL, but I have been reading and listening and need to get back on track. The past couple of months have been characterized by WWII, opera, and LA lawyering.
Let's start with the LA lawyer--I've been listening to Michael Connelly's Lincoln Lawyer series with my husband on our car trips. Listening to the first book in the series, The Lincoln Lawyer in Maine in September, then the second book, The Brass Verdict in Victoria, BC in October, and most recently, The Reversal on a trip across the mountains and back last week. I really love this series--Mickey Haller is a great character and I am fascinated by the details of the courtroom and defense and prosecution approaches. I know nothing about lawyering beyond The Good Wife, so this is really fun and interesting.
Now for opera. Opera? you ask. Yes, I grew up with opera and it never really left me. Colorado Opera in Denver started pinging me on social media with ads for their fall production of Verdi's Rigoletto. I decided to treat myself for my birthday--my husband had knee replacement surgery in October (so begged off with an ironclad excuse)--and decided I needed a refresher course. So, I ordered the libretto (Italian/English side by side), watched a YouTube video of Pavarotti's movie version, and listened to a 24-hour long, 32-lecture Great Course on the life and operas of Guiseppe Verdi, delivered by Professor Robert Greenberg of San Francisco. All of it was fantastic. The Pavarotti music with libretto in hand, the live production in Denver, and the detailed analysis of the opera with biographical context (there were 4 lectures on Rigoletto alone!). I finished the course yesterday, which culminated with 6 lectures on Verdi's last opera, Falstaff, based on Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor. Greenberg has another Great Course on how to listen to opera, which I will probably do in 2023.
On to WWII. Another Great Course, World War II: A Political and Social History, delivered by Professor Thomas Childers, followed by The Knight, Death, and the Devil, a fictionalized biography of Hermann Goring by Ella Leffland--this was a reread, but since I read it over 30 years ago, it was like reading for the first time. I also listened to two other related Great Courses: The Berlin Wall: A World Divided and Europe and Western Civilization in the Modern Age.
Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. Thanksgiving was fun and relaxing (we dined out!), and I started transforming the house to its Christmas wardrobe today. Next weekend, the tree.
Looking forward to visiting all my favorite blogs and catching up with what you all have been up to.
Wow you are staying well educated with these courses and opera deep-dives. Much Verdi! And onto Christmas decorating now. I must ask how your husband's knee is healing ... as I am scheduled to have that surgery next year. Sigh. Is it worth it? and will it be a success? thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis is Jeff's second knee. The first was the left, done in June 2021, and the right was in October of this year. Both were well worth doing as he basically had no cartiledge left in either knee, and walking was painful, stairs were horrible, and hiking was out of the question. The left took longer to heal--more pain, more PT, more cane time--but eventually he was happy. The right was much better--we're thinking it was stronger from the outset--he was driving at 3 weeks, and at 6 weeks post-op, he has full range of motion, hasn't used a cane in awhile, did a 1.5 mile walk the last two days with only a slight limp and can manage stairs while carrying a cup of coffee. The trick is to manage the pain initially, ice as much as possible, do all the exercises the PT team throws at you even though they hurt, and know it's all worth it.
Deletethanks Jane. I appreciate knowing. I'm pretty scared but it's not till Oct. 2023. best wishes to your husband. it seems he is managing quite well for this last one.
DeleteWelcome back to the book bloggers world, Jane! I have just come out of "sabbatical" myself. It's quite exciting to catch up with everyone.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Connely wrote a series about lawyers; I only know him as a crime novels writer. My favorite is always John Grisham. Have you read anything by him?
Michael Connelly has merged his Harry Bosch series with the Mickey Haller series, so now I want to go back and read the Harry Bosch books. Another great character!
DeleteMickey Haller is a very fun character. I love that Connolly series, too. :D
ReplyDeleteI loved the Netflix series! The movie wasn't as good but still fun. I read the first book when the movie came out but it's been years now...
ReplyDeleteFascinating topic of opera. I enjoy listening from time to time but have never been super involved in it. I'm glad you're able to get back to your love of it.
I hope for your husband's speedy recovery. Those knee surgeries can be so painful.