Welcome to our annual summer reading poll! (And we've done lots of extra reading polls in the last year, so if you want more recommendations, see fall, winter and spring.) Author birthdays this weekend: Paul Dunbar, Helen Keller and Alice McDermott on Saturday; Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Eric Ambler on Sunday.
The poll: please recommend a great book to add to our summer reading lists, and tell us what fragrance we should wear while reading it.
My recent reading:
I have spent most of the last quarter painting various rooms in my house, so my podcast listening is up, and my reading is down.
On the non-fiction front, I read three books, although all three involved some skimming: The Diabetes Code by Jason Fung, Sharon Salzberg's Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation and Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How It Changed the World by Laura Spinney. (You could wear Le Jardin de Monsieur Li for Real Happiness, but the other two are probably best read commando.)
On the mystery / thriller front, I read the last two in the series of old-school British mysteries by Edmund Crispin, Glimpses of the Moon and Fen Country. (I really enjoyed this series and I wish there were more. Eau Sauvage or Eau de Guerlain.) Then I read book 12 in Dorothy Simpson’s Thanet series (Bvlgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert).
Turning to fiction, I am still reading Hilary Mantel's The Mirror and the Light, and I might be for a long time yet. (I love the book, but I am having a hard time moving Thomas Cromwell towards his end. Once I got about halfway through the book, it began to seem intolerably sad for pandemic reading.) I finished Angela Thirkell's High Rising (Angie recommended her, and if you have access to The New Yorker archives, you might read Good Show, a 1996 article about Thirkell by Hermione Lee, and you might wear Penhaligon's Artemisia or Bluebell), and I am about halfway through The Parisian by Isabella Hammad (fantastic novel recommended by my stepmother; something old school, maybe vintage Caron Tabac Blond).
Note: top image is detail from the Library of Congress National Book Festival poster for 2016, by artist Yuko Shimizu. You can find a gallery of all the Book Festival posters on the Library of Congress website.
Well, one clear choice if you haven’t yet read Chandler Burr’s The Perfect Scent would be to read it and wear either Un Jardin Sur le Nil or SJP’s Lovely! That book is what sent me down the rabbit hole some years ago. It’s very entertaining as well as informative about the creation of scents generally, and those two in particular. I expect most regulars at NST read it ages ago, but those new to fragrance obsession would enjoy it if they haven’t yet read it.
I skipped around in that book, which is a bad habit of mine. I really should go back and give it a proper cover to cover reading. Thanks for the reminder! ?
I feel as if I might re-read it this summer, I could use the distraction!
That was a really fun read. I finally picked up the book last year!
Commando so far but won’t be for long. I have 6 perfumed packages to open. All but one had already come out of mail quarantine and I find it more efficient to open them all at once.
I have no book recommendations as I am still on a Reader’s Digest kick and enjoying that. That said, I have this urge to get a new sage-colored Kindle Paperwhite so if anyone has suggestions (do it or not, does it really matter if I get the 8g or the 32g version, etc.), please share.
This morning, I used an oat pancake mix and added cardamom and vanilla. Yummm.
Is there a vanilla-cardamom forward perfume? I think this is a good combination.
Looking forward to reading recommendations!
Oh yes, Nordstrom opened last week! I was there for a short time last week and the store had very light foot traffic and there were very few items displayed. One of the SAs mentioned that people were still buying lots from when we were on Stay at Home orders and merchandise deliveries were skimpy. I will be stimulating the economy later today (last week was reconnaissance) ? with 10 points! No clue yet as to the Anniversary Sale which tends to be really good.
For those in the LA / TX, enjoy the beautiful sunset with the hovering Sahara dust!
6 perfume packages? What’s inside? Do tell!
What’s in those packages?! I’ve sworn off perfume acquisition for a while (again) so I’m living for your reports. 😉
My mum has back issues of RD in her garage that she won’t part with. She subscribed for more than 40 years. I sometimes borrow a few, they are enjoyable reading, and the old advertisements are charming.
For a vanilla cardamom fragrance you could try Maison Lancôme’s Santal Kardamon. Is has SILLAGE, if you enjoy that.
heh heh, ALL CAPS should be a perfume category, imho. 😉
Yes YES!
6! Do you report back!
For vanilla and cardamon perfumes, I like Kenzo Jungle l’ Elephant, Diptyque Eau Duelle, and Cartier Barcelona Rima XI.
I am sampling Earth Mother from Dame today.
Since the spring poll, I have read the first 5 books in the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths (thank you, springpansy 🙂 ) and am currently reading Case Histories by Kate Atkinson which was recommended by another NSTer I believe too. I also read Conviction by Denise Mina for my book club which was uneven in a word.
If I don’t get sidetracked 😉 , this summer I plan to revisit My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier which I never got around to last winter. I’ve read it a few times before but not in a some years now. Think it would go well w/ Coco.
Excited to see what others have been reading to add to my list!
Extending my thanks also for the Elly Griffiths rec….I have read the first four and have more reserved when my library opens!!
My du Maurier to-be read is The Apple Tree. Thanks for the reminder, and I’m sure I’d like My Cousin Rachel as well.
You smell great. I love Earth Mother.
Do you have the oil or EDP? I am revisiting the BFMV oil and it’s very nice but not much sillage. Have to get my nose pretty close to my forearm to smell it…maybe I need to try the EDP.
How do you like Earth Mother?
It’s nice…a mix of citrus, musk and some sage but sweetness too which is described as caramel in the notes. I found it to be fairly fleeting though w/ minimal sillage…it was the oil I tried.
I bought several samples from Dame a couple weeks ago and hoped to fall in love w/ Black Flower Mexican Vanilla at the very least but was not wowed by it. Granted I have tried many, many vanillas at this point to be fair but it didn’t make me want to seek out more. Will try it again to see if I was too hasty. I also didn’t find the oil of this one to last that long or project too much either. Overall the line didn’t impress me over much.
Just slathered on some of the Black Flower Mexican Vanilla again…maybe I need to try the EDP…I do like it but I am a sprayer at heart. I think they just have samples of the oil though. Le sigh. 😉 Have you tried any from this line?
Yeah, I’ve tried several from that line. Like you, I’m a sprayer. It’s a bummer the samples are oil now, he used to offer them as 5 ml decants and I had both BFMV and Earth Mother. 2 sprays of Earth Mother lasts me all day and has really good silage.
How do like Case Histories? I think it was I who mentioned it
I am really enjoying it…writing is great but kind of nervous to find out how the cases are linked ehaeheh ? not sure if it’s supernatural, etc. I am maybe 25% through so they introduced the cases and now are revisiting them but not sure how they are intertwined and I’m a little scared… eahehehe I see it was made into a BBC series as well I believe which maybe ran 2 seasons.
Without a commute, I’m getting through many fewer fiction books these days. My nonfiction shelf is usually more practical–weightlifting books, cookbooks, etc.
However, currently I am reading, and highly recommend to women and people who have intimate relations with women, Emily Nagoski’s Come As You Are. It’s about women’s sexuality and healing one’s relationship with sexuality. It is based on current neuroscience, psychology and biology. I’m a science and health teacher, and I’m still learning a lot!
Oh, if you read this book, I recommend you wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and attractive. I like Lipstick Rose.
thank you for the recommendation! Love the title 😉 and the reminder to consider all the angles.
I checked my library and there are 10 holds on the one electronic copy available!
I checked my library there 7 copies in use w/ 37 people on hold now…I am that 37th person. 😉
Thanks for the rec…just placed a hold.??
Putting that on my goodreads list
Our libraries are still closed
Also just placed a hold – thanks!
That sounds like a great book!
I’m writing that one down! I work in women’s healthcare and also have a degree in psychology, sounds interesting.
If you are a fan of The Hunger Games series you might be interested in reading The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The book just premiered last week in Polish translation and I just started reading it. No perfume recommendation for it yet.
Sample of Vivacious was waiting for me at home yesterday so I’m wearing it today. The scent makes me swoon.
Woo hoo about Vivacious! We are scent twins through and through (except for Oud Palao – this one I cannot deal with).
Perfume twin power will heal the world 😉
I wish I had a more than just a sample of Vivacious. I might consider doing a local split in Poland at some point.
I just got my sample in mail, so I’ll be testing it once I finish my brunch 🙂
Curious to hear if you like it too!
I am on a very long hold list for that one at the library.
It’s a good read, I was quickly drawn by the plot.
Whoa. Just checked and there’s 385 holds on the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes at my library. Put myself down for the audiobook download. . . to enjoy some time next year, I’d guess!
Idylle Love Blossom for now before I shower later. Looks to rain here this afternoon, so I figure I’ll be relatively lazy today. At least I got some laundry done yesterday.
I’ve gone through two books of the North of the Tension Line series by J.F. Riordan recently. Pleasant reads about life in Door County and Washington Island. She also has a non-fiction book of her reflections…short little essays, more like blog posts…that are nice, and quite a few focused on her love of her dogs and on grief in general.
Also enjoyed a quick, mildly entertaining read of The Tour by Jean Grainger. I think this one and the former ones were spotlighted on Amazon and cheap, so I dove in.
For opposite tone, I’ve also read some of Andrew Mayne’s The Naturalist series. Almost too tense for me.
Started listening to the non-fiction book about Powell’s trip down the Grand Canyon. Deva noted this sometime back. And am also slowly reading Studies in the Sermon on the Mount…a big book, so I’m taking my time with this one. I had a lot of Audible credits…so have downloaded a number of books to listen to while knitting. I’m still a knitter who needs to look at my handiwork while doing it.
my knitting teacher encouraged me to knit with my eyes closed to learn to knit by touch. Close eyes, knit one, open eyes, check work, close eyes, knit two, open eyes, check work and so on. When I was knitting sweaters I would knit with my eyes closed and fall asleep. 😉
Thanks for that tip! I will try that.
I have to check out those books. Have you ever been to Door County? That’s where we spent our honeymoon.(broke and just out of college)
I haven’t been, but my husband has ramped up the volume on trying to get us there (He wants us to consider retirement there.). We have friends renting a place in August, but unfortunately we can’t leave our old lady cat.
Oh wow! That would be quite a change of pace from nyc. Wisconsin is really beautiful in the summer. I was just commenting to my daughter yesterday as I was driving that everything is so green!
As I mentioned Friday I am celebrating my anniversary this weekend , so I am in Beige
I can’t recommend Ferrante’s Neapolitan series enough, almost done. Saved my sanity during the pandemic
Some other books for summer I have are Swimming Lessons and All Adults Here.
I may also re-read Call me By Your Name
beautiful in Beige! you smell like love. 😀
Thank you !
Do re-read Call Me By Your Name…the setting will keep your Italian engaged!!
Yes ???
I loved that movie too!
Have you listened to the soundtrack
Not specifically. Do you suggest I’d better do that?
Hey Lucasai, I recommend to listen to it. You can access it free on you tube. Best to listen to it during a hot day with a bowl of ripe peaches near by, a glass of Prosecco and imagine yourself in Italy. (this is what I do)
You smell glorious. Happy anniversary!
Happy anniversary. My parents is this weekend as well…62 years of marriage ???
I hope you and your husband will do something to celebrate.
You smell lovely!
I read CMBYN years ago and recently listened to the audio, narrated by Armie Hammer who was in the movie. His voice is mesmerizing and it was fabulous on audio.
Thanks for the tip.
I enjoyed Andrea Aciman’s writing style, his love and longing reminds me of Proust
I recently enjoyed The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stadal. Great characters interacting in unexpected ways with a focus on family and women in particular….would wear something that pairs well with beer!!!
Old Spice may pair well with beer 🙂
Maybe something with either vetiver or rose?
SotD = Nasomatto Narcotic Venus
sampling this one for the first time I like it, though I’m always in the mood for BWFs.
NV is a good companion to the fresh gardenia on my desk. I’m huffing it again this morning. Fresh jasmine, magnolia, gardenia, lily make me happy, for my nose nothing compares to the real thing. Thank you to the kind NSTers who shared in my fascination with Onda and gardenias yesterday.
I like biography more and more lately. Currently enjoying Christian Dior: designer of dreams. I borrowed it from my library before it shut down a few months ago. I’ll have to return it soon. My city’s library system is slowly reopening, and will soon begin assessing fines for “late” book returns. Four library locations have reopened for curbside pickup of physical books, but they are all a 10 to 15 minute drive away. I used to walk or bike to my neighborhood branch. Sigh.
Thanks for the book recs, NST friends! Weighlifting, du Maurier, The Naturalist, and Spanish flu (thanks, Robin, that’s a good suggestion) and more make for superb summer reading ideas.
You perfumed people are fantastic, I learn something new here every day.
I think there is another book about the Spanish flu — might be better, now I can’t remember, I just know the hold list for it was so long I gave up and read this one 🙂
We have curbside pickup starting this week, then I think they open next week to go inside. Happily they will keep doing curbside pickup if you want it. When that is over, I will be back to kindle.
I put a bunch of books on hold for curbside pickup. 🙂 I’ve gotten a couple of them. Mom’s gotten some actual physical books, too. She doesn’t like reading on my Kindle Fire. I shouldn’t have shown her first how easy it was to read on the Kindle Paperwhite, but I didn’t know she’d appropriate that one for weeks. Mom looked at the basic Kindle reader, which should be perfectly adequate for what she wants, but decided she didn’t want to buy a Kindle e-reader for herself when I have a little collection of e-readers. The point, she’s missing it.
I read on an iPad, and I generally would prefer physical books but it sure is easier and quicker to use Libby to get ebooks.
same! I prefer paper books but I’ve dusted off my kindle and have downloaded a few books to a tablet as well. It’s just easier.
Tiffanie, are you a lifter? Read anything great lately? I was slogging my way through Starting Strength before the world went on pause, but since I don’t have access to a bar at home, I’ve put it down.
hi! I’m not a lifter, but I live with one. Sometimes I get a private coaching session here at home, but it’s not a habit (yet).
Over the past few years I’ve worked to increase my overall body strength, my doctor said I need to do it for my bone health. Why didn’t I drink more milk as a kid? (insert deep sigh and eyeroll here).
I walk, swim, yoga, and HIIT because they make me feel good, but I’ve never been motivated to be strong. So it feels like my next step is lifting. About a month ago I made a list of small goals, like proper form push ups/pull ups and unassisted headstand/headstand. I can do sets of five real push ups now, so it’s getting better, but I know I need more strength training.
Long winded, lol, sorry for oversharing. I read Ask a Swole Woman articles on Vice and have watched a few videos, but there are so many ideas and theories and POVs that it’s confusing. Please let me know if you have any favorite sources for good beginner lifter info? 🙂
5 real push-ups in good form is great, Tiffanie! That’s 5 more than a lot of women can do. 😀
I love lifting. I got into it after I lost a lot of body fat and realized I still couldn’t do all the things I wanted to do and thought I couldn’t do because I was big. Then I realized it was actually that I couldn’t do them because I wasn’t strong. It’s been a part of my life for the last 5 or so years now, with more or less purpose depending on life events, health challenges and the like.
Like you, I started with basic strength-building. I really like the New Rules of Lifting book series (Lou Schuler) for that. The New Rules of Lifting for Women is great, even if a bit outdated. The workouts are still sound, though, and the information is easy to understand. The New Rules of Lifting for Life is better if you often find you need to modify exercises to meet your ability level, or to work around old injuries, etc. Wherever you get your programming, it’s good to remember you can ALWAYS modify to meet your needs.
Online, I love Nia Shanks, and I’ve purchased and used a couple of her programs and thought they were very well done. Each came with videos to help with form and to make sure you know how to do the moves. The folks at Nerd Fitness put out good content, too, including lots of beginner workouts for free.
This is a topic I could go on and on about. If you want a dozen more resources, just ask. 😉
Marjorie Rose, thank you for all the good information 🙂 I’m going to dive in and learn all I can. When I come up for air I’m sure I’ll have some questions for you. I appreciate you sharing your story, it feels like I’m moving toward a good thing because getting stronger is my overall goal.
I’m having a hard time reading in this era of uncertainty, and find myself re-reading old favorites, in part because there’s no suspense – knowing what’s coming is helpful somehow. Of the new-to-me books in my ereader, I’m working my way through The Lost Vintage (Ann Mah, a time-traveling story about a vineyard’s owners in current days and during the run-up to WWII), and another one that is escaping both my memory and my ipad at the moment – it’s called something like What I Loved, about a lifelong friendship between two men. Hopefully it will reappear in the ereader someday, because I was enjoying it.
SOTM is Dryad for its soft, soothing forest-y-ness.
Dear SheriG, Many of my friends feel the same way. One of my neighbors who is a strong reader has let her books fall by the wayside. I was like that too, until I started reading the Ferrante series. I think this time is a strange time for everyone and you should do whatever makes you happy.
Thank you, ltsg. I think I need to check into the Ferrante series – sounds intriguing.
Looks like there are unrestricted downloads for the audiobook of My Brilliant Friend at Multnomah Co. Libraries, if you have a card. Just downloaded it onto my iPad!
I can understand that completely. Wouldn’t mind a list of “comfort books”, like The enchanted April or Dorothy Whipple books, or a whole book that is just like the start of the Hobbit.
Oh, The Enchanted April! I have that as an actual paper book and haven’t re-read it in years. What a lovely little story it is. Thanks for the reminder!
I’ve been feeling exactly the same way. I have barely read anything since March.
Once again, I am without a book recommendation.
I am going into work, wearing vintage Poison. I smell incredible, and I hope it keeps my thoughts positive.
Positive thoughts
Smelling great in your Poison forcefield!
Have an awesome day!
You DO smell incredible! Have a good one, lillyjo!?
Vintage Poison is glorious stuff.
Currently reading & have reads include
Sei Shonagon Pillow Book. Match with: Passage d’Enfer or Rose Ikebana.
Tolstoy War & Peace. Match with: Blenheim Bouquet, Equipage, Coco, Vie de Chateau depending on who or what you want to be channeling.
Sylvaine Tesson – Berezina. About some dudes who go motorcycling from Moscow to Paris in December on Napeolon’s tracks. Funny, crazy, historically very interesting. Match with: Something cold and muddy if you can think of it.
Ursula K LeGuin’s blog. Match with: a zesty scent of your choice. I’d go with the new Eau de Yuzu from Nicolai (forgive me Lady Donatella). Alternative something very green like Eau de Lierre.
John Steinbeck – Log from the Sea of Cortez. Match with something briny (I’m afraid I can think of no suitably bitter briny scents). Or boozy (see above). From my collection I would go with Eau de Orange Vert.
Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell Trilogy (on audiobook). Match with Floris Santal.
David Attenborough – Adventures of a young naturalist for some wanderlust catharsis. Match with Jungle L’Elephant or Eau Dynamisante.
Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey. Match with Carthusia Fiori di Capri or Un Jardin en Mediterraneo.
Happy summer reading everyone and thanks for the ideas and inspiration in your lists!
I read Pillow Book in college, it would be fun to revisit it, thank you for the reminder.
Hermes Epice Marine or Masque Milano Montecristo might work for Steinbeck, though when I smell them both I think of a well-dressed pirate, aaarrrrgh, rather than a writer or sailor. 🙂
Montecristo sounds just right! Also loving the name of it as a perfume.
I loved Hilary Mantel’s first two in her trilogy, I’m excited to read The Mirror and the Light. I think it will match well with Jo Malone’s Tudor Rose & Amber!
I’m working through the first two books again b4 The Mirror and the Light. I can’t bear to think that by the end of it, Cromwell will be dead.
Good pairing suggestion. Hadn’t thought about Tudor Rose, but of course that is perfect!
It is comical to me that Hilary Mantel has managed to make it hard for me to see Cromwell die. Might also be related to the fact that my dad died right when I started reading this book, I don’t know.
Anyway, read my usual 3-4 pages last night and couldn’t stand it anymore, even though the writing is fantastic and I feel completely immersed in the story.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Let’s see how quickly I make progress when I get to it…
I love this list! I watched the Wolf Hall filmed production, but had trouble keeping interest in the audible book. I think it was the different voices coming in. I’m going to give the physical book a try.
Thanks ?
Are Wolf Hall: I really enjoyed the TV series. To me, the unabridged version of the audiobook takes some of the hard work of understanding who is actually ‘saying’ sth versus Cromwell’s stream of consciousness away
Focusing on reading has been sporadic to say the least. Most reading happens in my car commuting so I have listened to only two books in almost 5 months? Daisy Jones and the six and Saint X.
Plan to lay across bed later and read more of The Beauty of Your Face.
Another night of sleep almost 10 hours. I am on a roll six straight.
Post shower some Eve.
I have read both Daisy Jones and Saint X, enjoyed both
Eve is beautiful. I love all of Diane’s creations.
It is beautiful.
You are on a roll! Hope it’s another good night of sleep tonight!?
Done! 10 hours.
I’m currently reading the print version of The Portable Atheist, and listening to various podcasts on audio. I find that beginning each morning with a cup of espresso and a print book puts me in a much better place than immediately jumping onto the computer, phone, or a tablet.
Robin, I’ve read Dr. Fung’s book The Complete Guide to Fasting, which is informative for the novitiate, but not really necessary if you’ve done any research on the subject. I was very impressed with the success of fasting as a treatment for T2 diabetes, though – the explanation made a lot of sense to me, and it’s effectiveness has been born out in Fung’s personal practice. I don’t have diabetes, myself, but if you’re reading about it already, perhaps this other book of his might be interesting to you.
It’s been a bit of a rough week – not for me, really, but for those around me, and I’m finding myself in need of a little “take care of your own self” time today. To that end, I’m going to spray myself lavishly with Jacomo Art Collection No. 08 (from the swapmeet, thank you!), drink some tea, spoon with Otto Mi Gato, and stay off my feet.
I hope your self care day brings you peace and rejuvenation.
Oh thank you. I wanted to read that first but it’s a longer library hold so I haven’t gotten it yet. I don’t have diabetes, but my fasting blood sugar had been creeping up into the 90s the past few years, which makes me nervous because there is lots of diabetes in my family. I have been doing time restricted eating since February and just find the whole blood sugar / fructose / fasting thing very interesting.
(And I first came to Fung via the Peter Attia podcast, which you might find interesting, lots of interviews on surrounding topics, including an episode on fructose that really changed how I felt about food. I am not trying to lose weight at all, but I have lost 5 pounds just via the time restricted eating, and am currently thinner than I have been since I was a pre-teen. I am now trying to get my calorie count up so I don’t lose more weight.)
Hope you had a good day yesterday and that things are looking up?
I’m a subscriber to the Peter Attia podcast! It’s super intriguing, often way over my head, and makes my brain just a little sharper after listening (I hope). I’m interested in fasting for the cellular renewal and longevity aspects.
Made a couple of phone calls to friends today, rather than texting — funny how calling somebody on the phone almost feels too intrusive, like you’ve knocked on their door unexpectedly. Nonetheless, I’m going to start doing that more often. Hearing a friend’s voice is so much richer than reading their truncated sentences on my phone screen.
Oh good! Many of the episodes are over my head (that recent one on immunology and monoclonal antibodies in particular) but yes, you start to pick up the jargon and then it makes sense. Are you actually fasting? (I am not, just time restricted, with a 6-7 hour eating window most days.)
And totally agree — I much prefer phone to text. We’re the minority these days! Glad you were able to talk with some friends.
Yes, I have begun to fast periodically. I have found that if you work up to it with IF and other types of time restricted feeding (all of which I’ve done), fasting for more than a day or two is surprisingly easy to do. I also believe that the biggest issue with it is our very strongly ingrained, cultural stance that it is necessary to eat every 3 hours, and to not skip breakfast (a stance that I now find kinda crazy). 🙂
It’s so terrific that you’re taking steps to head off a rise in your fasting blood sugar!
Oh good for you. I stopped eating between meals about 7-8 years ago, so the time restricted eating does not seem hard, but I tend to get really tired when I fast. I hope to try it again soon, I probably haven’t tried in a few years.
But eating 2 meals a day in a 6 hour window, that turns out to be pretty darned easy.
late to the game here but following with interest – I started IF when the lock down started – it’s not so hard if you don’t have to be fully “on” in the morning. Admittedly, I did this mostly to balance out the increased beer consumption due to lock down! I find it surprisingly easy, but I’m not really noticing any effects, either.
And do you keep your beer consumption inside your time limit? I do drink alcohol, but not outside of my “window”.
I have read very little during the pandemic. But I recently started (and continued, which is a miracle these days!) More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth. According to her “Into the Gloss” top shelf, her favorite scent is Ombre Leather by Tom Ford, so that is what I would pair this book with. It’s a really good book!
Today I’m wearing “Lake” from by rosie jane. Love this pine/ orange comfort scent.
That book looks really interesting, will add to my Libby list, thanks!
Haven’t found anything that has caught my fancy book wise. I am debating if I should try Jen Lancaster’s fiction. I have liked her nonfiction and waiting for her next book. Wearing no 5 lotion today.
I haven’t read a book since March and the perfume mojo hasn’t returned yet. I am up to four miles of walking in less than an hour’s time and I do this daily now. This is a huge accomplishment for me.
Sorry to be so boring…just popping in to say hi.
I feel ya, CM8. everything is a slog.
Wash
Rinse
Repeat
??
I don’t seem to manage any reading either. Glad to see that you are still there. I hope your walk is nice, and I’m sure you it will do your good.
Still here and hope you are well too!
just keep walking! 😀 It’s good for the body and mind.
I will ??
I admire you for persisting with walking! I don’t think I do more than 2K per day, and that is not every day. Keep walking! Though… What are you doing while walking? You could listen to books – it’s easier than to read, and you’ll do it in parallel.
Agreed! I walk and listen to podcasts or audiobooks almost every day. My walks are on autopilot, which I know doesn’t suit everyone, but I like not thinking about where I’m going. I just head out and zone out for the hour or so it takes to do the loop I’ve created for myself. I feel better EVERY day I go out and do it.
?
What I do is walking meditation. I listen to the birds, the cows and the roosters ( it’s 6 am and there’s a farm nearby). I look at all the beautiful wildflowers and flowering bushes, birds eating worms, turtles, etc.. I greet my fellow walkers who are the same folks just about everyday. And I breathe heavy because I walk at a fast clip. It’s exercise of body, mind and spirit ?
And watching the sun come up over the hills is breathtaking.
Sounds perfect.?
It is ?. Hope you and yours are well.
These walls sound incredibly healing. Well done on staying with it.
Thank you. I actually look forward to it every morning. Sets the tone for the day.
waving hello
???
Congratulations on that walking! I as doing the same too and felt great but had to stop when our weather just got too hot here. Now I’ve reverted into a blob. I need to find a do-able online exercise program. I used to do Pilates but am now inclined to think that’s what made my hip replacements fail.
There’s some pretty great stuff on YouTube, especially for rehab!
Good for you, doing all that walking! This has been such a strange stretch of time. I’m working harder than ever, as basically our entire institution of higher education has to be redesigned by August in almost every aspect, so I’m not reading as much as I thought I would. However, I’m making time for gardening, both to get me outside and to ensure ongoing supplies of fresh vegetables without many trips to the store. Happy to report that I no longer have a vegetable garden — I have a vegetable jungle! We’ve sampled kale, cauliflower, basil, lettuce, and squash so far. Fingers crossed for a bumper crop of tomatoes!
Wow!! Your garden sounds amazing!!!!
I barely read for a period of YEARS…walking is so fantastic & not boring at all. Do what you need to do when you need to do it 🙂
Thanks, Robin! I haven’t been this active in a long time and it feels really good.
My friend sent me this quote by Kierkegaard in one of his letters that I completely agree with and resonate with:
“Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Everyday, I walk mayself into a state of well-being & walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it. But by sitting still, and the more one sits still, the closer one comes to feeling ill. Thus if one just keeps on walking, everything will be all right.”
This is fantastic. Thank you for sharing. Walking is something that I feel is sustainable for me in terms of daily exercise and it’s great for mental health too.
Hey, four miles a day is great! Good for you!
I knew you would approve ?. You’re a big inspiration ?
Happy weekend, all! I was supposed to see the love of my life for the first time in almost five months today, but life intervened and plans fell through and I’m spending the weekend alone at home. Ho, hum. Fortunately, home is a pleasant place to be. It’s warm today but there’s a softly cooling sea breeze that smells of kelp even at this distance inland. I’m in Lys Mediterranee, which is one of the most perfect summer scents to my nose. This morning, tidying up in the garden, I found a vacated bird’s nest in the sweet peas, an unblemished songbird egg on the ground among the geraniums, a Pacific chorus frog napping damply in the space between some stacked pots, and my resident gopher snake twitchily hunting in my waning California poppies.
I’m reading The Peregrine by J. A. Baker — fierce, luminous prose and highly recommended.
I’m sorry you didn’t get to see the love of your life.☹️
Oh. Hope you have another chance soon.
The love of your life. Just lovely.
I’m sorry you didn’t get to see your sweetheart. The picture you paint of your garden is beautiful!
I’m sorry your plans fell through. Your writing is comforting. I can practically see your garden!
For some reason during the pandemic I’ve been disinclined to read even though I’ve got things stacked up on my Kindle, including the third Hilary Mantel book. Instead I’m spending hours watching various TV series programs mainly on Acorn. However I did read Camus’s The Plague. Not sure it’s for everyone given its resonance with our times, but it truly is a moving and beautifully written book. I’m in an online discussion group about it and notice so many more things as we go over sections in detail every week (and our group includes some French lit people who also bring insights). It’s set in French Algiers with a lot of descriptions of the hot dry dusty weather and winds, so perhaps some kind of desert scent. Not sure what. Marfa? Camel?
What have you been watching on Acorn?
If your public library offers Hoopla, a digital app, you can watch all the British mysteries you desire!
Thanks!! I will look into it.
Lots! Australian sow A Place to Call
Home, watching a second time through, I love it so much.
Thank you! Will look into that too.
Where are those online discussion groups your joining?
Well, this is mostly philosophy profs + French profs, friends of friends.
Maybe something by Serge Lutens would match Algeria!
Good thought!
Ouarzazate!
That’s one I don’t know at all!
Comme de Garcons- part of the incense series. And, it’s also a city in Morocco, a UNESCO world heritage site.
When it is windy and dusty, which is most of the time, it smells like Algeria.
If the notes sound good to you, I’ll bring you a sample next time we meet for lunch….when the world gets back to normal. ? I got a FB at KL.
Aaaand, something tells me we’ve had this exchange before. If so, sorry!
Yes, now I remember! I do want to try it.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/an-algerian-in-paris-kamel-daoud
Not The Plague but a couple of years ago I read a novel by Kamel Daoud, an Algerian writer, who wrote a novel as a response to Camus’ L’etranger. Told from the point of view of the brother of the nameless Arab shot by Camus’s protagonist. Called the Meursault Investigation. Really worth reading.
I loved that novel. Daoud is a very well respected journalist and writer.
Thank you!
Perhaps Chergui for The Plague. I’ve been taking advantage of some group zoom book chats, too. The last one was with a small group of us, led by a writer, talking about Say Nothing, written by Patrick Radden Keefe about the disappearance of Jean McConville, a widow residing in the notorious Divis Flats in Belfast of the 1970s. It’s a horrific thriller, alright, complete with a pretty well laid out review of the Northern Ireland Troubles.
I’ve heard of hoopla – will investigate! I’m just about to join Acorn again so I can see Deadwater Fell.
I watched that, but won’t comment until you have.
I’m currently reading Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami, I borrowed it from my son, it’s one of his favorite books. It was published in 1987 but I hadn’t heard of it, I love it when my kids introduce me to stuff. I would pair it with Kyoto, even though it is set in Tokyo.
SotD is Tam Dao. My college daughter and I took a load of stuff over to her college apartment today. Her lease started at the beginning of the month but she won’t really move in until September. It would have been nice to find a 9 month lease, but unfortunately that’s not the way most leases run. Oh well. It is hot today! I brought along Sur Le Nil for tomorrow and I think that’ll be perfect.
❤️ Tam Dao and Murakami. Also recommend Wind-up bird chronicle by him.
I started that one (another recommendation from my son) but just couldn’t get into it. Maybe I’ll try again after Norwegian Wood.
It will be so nice for her to be in an apartment instead of a dorm. My middle one will be sharing an apartment with her sister who is living there right now. That gives me piece of mind.
Peace….. autocorrect strikes again.
It will be. It’s just her and her roommate from last year. Less drama with only one roommate and they get along really well. Ironically she is right across the street from where I lived my junior year in college.
How nice for your girls! And for mom’s peace of mind.?
That sounds perfect!! Yes, less roommates, less drama.
I’m reading Angie’s Secret of the Blue Lily on my kindle, and it’s a lot of fun! It looks like fragrance references will be sprinkled throughout the book.
I’m in Hiram Green’s new one, Vivacious! Doing it up h-style, with 8 sprays. This is so pretty! Starts out very fruity with the bergamot and a little bit of violet. It’s quite bright and cheery. I’m seeing a couple having a picnic on a spring day in a meadow with the breeze blowing. The iris is rooty, but no carrots. No amber yet, but maybe in the far drydown. It’s a fruity floral, but in the absolute best of ways. Many thanks to pl67 who sent me this sample. ?
I am so glad you like Vivacious! Enjoy! ?
?
I got The Blue Lily, too, when I saw Angela mention it. 🙂 So far I’ve read the first in the series, but I have the rest on my Kindle. 🙂
I have a feeling I’ll be downloading the others series!
Thanks for the reminder to download Angela’s new book. I’ll get going on it today ?
Most welcome! ?
N.K. Jemisin “The City We Became” paired with either Jorum Studios Phloem for the interdimensional enemy, or Bond No. 9 New Haarlem for NYC
Irshad Manji “Don’t Label Me” paired with JUS Superfusion
Erin Morgenstern “The Starless Sea” paired with Zoologist Bee
Deepa Anappara “Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line” paired with Neela Vermeire “Trayee”
Wearing Selperniku Extrait today, walked 10k to pick up some small decants second-hand and only barely got rained on!
N.K. Jemisin is a national treasure and Hugo award winning author. I love all her books! Nice perfume pairing.
There was a piece on Jemisin in the New Yorker earlier this year and I meant to look into her writing…any opinion on the best place to start?
She’s sci-fi fantasy so really it’s great to just look at plotline summaries and see which ones intrigue you personally.
A lot of the books are written as trilogies so starting with book #1 of a series is sensible!
If you’re not necessarily a fan of the genre and/or long multi-book reads, “How Long Til Black Future Month?” is a collection of short stories and novellas that can help you get an overview of her writing style and content though! I think it’s a great jumping off point.
This is very good advice. I read the Inheritance Trilogy first and have read everything since.
Great pairings. I’ve heard N.K. Jemesin interviewed on a podcast and wanted to check out her work. Maybe it was Fresh Air?
Two books from this end of the world:
The first, from Australia, called Truganini: journey through the apocalypse by Cassandra Pybus is a historical biography of the indigenous woman Truganini who became labelled “the last Tasmanian” (1812-1876), a victim of colonial genocide. This book rewrites the story of Truganini so she has agency over her story and life, rather than being a passive victim of events. It’s a fantastic book.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/postcolonial-blog/2020/mar/15/truganinis-story-has-always-been-told-as-tragedy-she-was-so-much-more-than-that
The second book is a debut novel , Aue by Becky Manawatu that won this year’s fiction prize at the NZ book awards. It has a South Island setting and has a young boy as its protagonist and is harrowing and compassionate, dealing with family violence, gangs, friendship. If you read the bone people or saw a movie called Once Were Warriors you might look out for this book. Very powerful.
Another great NZ novel is The Burning River by Lawrence Patchett. A near-future, environmental / frontier/ spiritual book set in NZ. Very human, beautifully imagined.
The Becky Manawatu book sounds
wonderful but I think it’s not available here in Europe…
Thanks for all of these interesting recommendations that we otherwise probably wouldn’t have known or heard about!
2nd that! I did read The Bone People years ago but have not heard of the others.
I loved The Bone People! Thanks for these recommendations, Kanuka.
I’m reading Conversations with Friends. The author’s Normal People was just made into a Netflix movie, but I heard this one was better. The protagonist is 21, so wear whatever fragrance brings back memories of being 21! For me that’s Narcisco For Her. But I’m currently grateful that I’m no longer 21, so wearing Hermes Caleche.
Both of her books have been on my list for ages, but have not started either. You are liking it?
Just finished it this afternoon. To answer your question: kinda? I liked it intellectually, in that it is well written. But the 21 year old protagonist is just so…21. She’s having an affair with an older man who is a married 31 year old. I’m 36, and I’m rolling my eyes at them. SOTD is Alaia Nude, which suits a book about an affair.
It’s been very stressful at work, a big poopstorm, so I have been missing out on interesting perfume talk lately.
In perfume news, my BC from FM arrived with a faulty sprayer. Grrr. They are sending a new one. I wonder if there is a fix for the old one though? If you have ideas lmk!
In reading news, based on recs here I have been going through the Elly Griffiths novels. Someone mentioned they could be a bit scooby doo and I see that. I also read Kate Atkinson’s Big Sky – wonderful! And Kate Morton’s mysteries have also kept me engrossed. For nonfiction I’m reading How To Be an Anti-Racist.
Regarding your FM malfunctioning sprayer, this is what I have heard people doing in those circumstances, with more or less success:
Remove the sprayer pump from the top of the bottle. Run the spray pump under hot water. Place it back on the bottle, and test to see if it is unclogged. You can also use a pin to try to poke a hole in the nozzle.
I once had a FM Noir Epices travel spray which stopped working and was not able to detach the pump from the bottle. I ended up having to cut and pull off the top (black) cover with pliers so I can decant the left over perfume into another bottle. It wasn’t pretty but I got the job done. Good luck!
I tried your suggestions of the hot water and the pin but both didn’t work. So annoying that a luxe brand like FM isn’t investing in its bottle mechanisms. Thank you though for the tips, I do appreciate them!
Yikes. Sorry about the poopstorm at work.
Thanks – I am trying to stay away from as much poop as possible. I have too much real work to do!
Hi, lovely NST folks! 🙂
I’m still mostly taking as much of a break as possible from TV news. I haven’t given on up reading electronic versions of newspapers and other periodicals, though. I’ve been reading articles and opinions from the New York Times, Washington Post, the Atlantic and the Forward. I especially like Frank Bruni’s pieces in the New York Times.
There hasn’t especially been a large jump in my reading of books on LGBT topics and/or by LGBT authors for Pride Month. I read a good amount of genre fiction with LGBT characters pretty much every month of the year. Here and there I’ll read non-fiction on LGBT topics, mostly history.
I’ve gotten some gardening books for myself, and some e-books about soul food. Some are more straightforwardly cookbooks, and some have more of a focus on African-American foodways in history.
I’ve still been getting old cookbooks from Project Gutenberg, too.
One of the first curbside pickup books I got from the library was The President’s Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families, from the Washingtons to the Obamas by Adrian Miller. There’s more information about some of the stewards, chefs and cooks than there is about others, but I found the American history/African-American history very interesting.
Another I started was The Cooking Gene by Michael W. Twitty. Some of the work Mr. Twitty does is as an interpreter of how an enslaved cook would prepare meals in a plantation kitchen. He thinks of this heavy physical work and the expertise it takes as “honoring the Ancestors” and connecting with them through the work and the food.
The gardening books include The Rose Rustlers by Greg Grant and William C. Welch and The Bulb Hunter by Chris Wiesinger and William C. Welch. One of the shrub roses the rose rustlers found that survived well under conditions of neglect in the South turned out to ‘Carefree Beauty,’ which is not an antique, but was one that Dr. Griffith Buck intended to be hardy in very cold areas of the U.S., and to be very healthy generally. The Bulb Hunter has some anecdotes about how easily the average spade breaks when one is trying to dig up a crinum, or a patch of them. Many of the bulbs listed were ones I’d heard of, but I have that habit of reading old gardening books. 😉
I’ve also gotten L.M. Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott’s books from Project Gutenberg. I’d read them as a girl, so I figure they’d be something of comfort reads now.
Should be *turned out to be ‘Carefree Beauty’
Happy anniversary to the folks who have anniversaries this weekend — and belated anniversary wishes to those who had them this month.
June is technically not that long a month, but it’s seemed long to me. And it’s been a rough month for a lot of people in one way or another. *Hugs* to those who want them. <3
2019 wasn't so great a year for me, but it's looking better in retrospect. 😛 I do feel for those who had a bad year in 2019 and hoped that 2020 would be an improvement. More *hugs*
I read The Cooking Gene, I think Kevin recommended it to me (?)
I re-read most of the Anne books multiple times over, and also LM Montgomery’s diaries, although they are tough going as she had a very tough life.
I haven’t read L.M. Montgomery’s diaries, but I’ll keep them in mind. Thank you. 🙂
I’m finding The Cooking Gene very interesting. I’ve slowed down a bit reading through the genetic information all calculated out, but I can understand why Mr. Twitty finds it important to know about his ancestors. When it’s less of the pure math, he has a way with words.
My parents are celebrating their 62 wedding anniversary this weekend…. completely blows my mind LOL ?
Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the weekend and has a good summer.
Happy Anniversary to them!
Thank you lillyjo! I hope you and your family are doing well ?.
Mind blown! Happy Anniversary to your parents!
Thank you.
I could not even imagine being married that long LOL ?
Amazing!
???
wow! what is their secret
Honestly, I don’t know ??
Wow, 62nd anniversary is fantastic! Happy anniversary to them! 🙂
As a Harry Potter fan I am now into the Harley Merlin books. Quite a nice read. It’s more young adult than teens literature in my opinion.
Yesterday we went out for a Greek dinner in the open. The boyfriend was happy to be out. He is improving nicely but still needs much rest. Scentv of yesterday was Cristalle Eau Verte, layered with EA Green Tea, nice combination in the heat.
I’m glad the boyfriend is getting better. 🙂 It sounded like he’d had a very rough patch with his health, and lots of rest seems like it would be one of the best things for him as he convalesces.
Yesterday I walked back to the warehouse to find a man in his boxer shorts trying on clothes. LOL! When I told him he couldn’t be back here, he said “really?”
I’m heading back in wearing L’ombre dans L’eau. Wish me luck!????
Good luck ???
Thanks cm8, and thanks for checking in!
????
Sounds like the first line in your comment is the start of a fiction novel…keep going…
I need a ghost writer!
People. ?
Don’t get me started, lol.
??♀️ You have way more patience than me. Maybe you can have a hopefully shortish string of Retail Woes.
I only have patience on the outside. My insides just tend to stay quiet.
Fortunately, no woes today!?
Not a good night/morning. With 2 nights of thunderstorms and people starting to set off fireworks or shooting guns, my dog isn’t doing that great. He had what I call terror poop. Got the worst of it up last night but have to run the steam cleaner in a spot. In the extreme dry down of no 5. I think that Epic body stuff will be the SOTD.
Your poor dog. Have you ever tried one of those sweaters they make called “thunder shirts”? Just wondering if that might help a bit.
Aw!
Poor baby! We found the remnants of a terror pee from our pup a couple of days ago. Hubs is painting, and dropped the scaffolding platform. It was deafening.
Hi all,
I’m currently reading The Late Show, The Other Side of the Sun by Madeline L’ Engle, The Fifth Season, and Sister Outsider by Audre Lourde. Enjoying all of them immensely.
SOTD is Dune, something warm and salty. We went on a picnic with friends yesterday down to the Presidio, walked 12 miles. It was a lot of fun. But boy am I tired! I made sure to soak my tootsies in epsom salts to ease the discomfort. 🙂
You are making me nostalgic.
I lived in Pac Heights for 6 years and use to jog/walk in the presidio and smell the freshness of all those trees and cool foggy air.
L2SM, it was so foggy and beautiful yesterday!
We passed by the Presidio Pet Cemetary, it was so fascinating to see all the little gravestones.
My favorite spot in my old hood was La Mediterranee on Fillmore. I knew the father and son who owned the place, in a way that I was a frequent patron, not personally. The father loved how I would enjoy his rose water pudding for dessert, and we would joke if it was ever hot in San Francisco he would make me a rose water ice cream. After dinning there I would catch a movie at the theater across the street.
I love that restaurant! Did you ever eat at Elite Cafe on Fillmore or Via Veneto? Via Veneto has the most amazing gnocchi with Alfredo sauce.
Does your heart not yearn for California, LTSG?
I left my heart in San Francisco <3
A Wrinkle in Time!
I am going to read A Wrinkle In Time next, I think….
That book is so good! I read it in college.
I just added it to my ‘must read’ list!
Enjoy, ??
Since a few weeks we are the proud owners of a beehive, so after some purely pratical stuff I’m currently busy reading Honeybee Democracy.
SOTD is Encre Noir.
Make sure your queen is well taken care of!
Our queen arrived last week. It’s such a delight to watch the bees doing their thing. I could spend hours watching them. Their little legs yellow with pollen…
Do tell more!
After having lived in a city for almost two decades we moved to the country. And now we are sharing our garden with animals. The bees are more pets than that we want the honey.
We now just have the one hive, next year another will follow.
It also had a huge impact on the garden, the lawn is completely gone and now is filled with flowers, with an abundance of colours and fragrance. And the humming of what seems thousand of insects.
That’s so cool!!!!!
It is. My wife started about taking in a dog the other day, I commented that having 50,000 pets should be enough for now…
Your comment reminds me that I read The Bees (well, listened on audiobook) earlier in The Pause. Fun fiction book told from the perspective of a worker bee in a hive, based on some of the more recent science. It’s fun and I recommend it!
Thanks! I will look it up.
Thanks to a reminder yesterday, I am now re-reading The Enchanted April and loving every second of it! I’m so appreciative of the NST community – in the past couple of days I’ve been reminded several times that none of us is alone in our isolation, that others are feeling disoriented and unable to enjoy the things we had relied on for sanity and happiness, and somehow that helps (even if it does feel a teensy bit cannibalistic). ? SOTM is Cuir Cannage for a cool grey day.
That’s a nice message SheriG.
I think you’re right about that SheriG – some sort of connection, even if online, is so important right now.
Ciao Amici-
If Johanob is reading this Happy Birthday. I remember my anniversary and his birthday fall on the same day.
I was planning on wearing Beige today, but ended up in Shalimar cologne because I have a bit of headache and the thought of smelling florals is not going to make me feel good.
Also I promised a haiku in Italian
Noi siamo
in attesa delle vacanze
e voi?
Happy anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!
Admittedly, I had help translating your haiku. With July 4th being a Saturday, it will feel no different. I am hoping Friday will be shortish but I have Report duty.
Happy Anniversary!
I remembered as well!Lol!
Hope everyone is well!
XO
A very happy birthday to you Johanob!!
Happy birthday!!!!!
Hey johanob, happy birthday, sweetheart! ?
Happy birthday! 🙂
Happy anniversary, and hope that headache is gone!
Happy Anniversary ltsg
Very happy anniversary and many more!
Happy anniversary, ltsg!
Happy Anniversary!
Happy anniversary! I hope you feel better soon and enjoy the day! Shalimar is perfect!
Idylle Love Blossom again and wearing a new dress to re-opened church service. At 25% capacity, we can allow 125. My guess is maybe 60 people were there. Very organized in entering, exiting and seating. The only downside is the AC went out, so it was warmer than we would have preferred. But it was lovely to be back.
And…no line at Whole Foods, So I popped in for peaches to make a rustic tart this week and frozen fruit/veggies for smoothies. Cooked shrimp on sale, so I think we will have cold shrimp, corn on the cob and sliced tomatoes for dinner.
OMG, what a perfect summer dinner that will be!
Any singing allowed? We can only hum!
Dinner sounds just lovely!
We could sing, through masks.
I decided to add a little feta to the tomato, add Greek dolmas and have a bit of hummus and pita. Very satisfying.
Work.Eat.Sleep.Repeat.
If ever times were strange and I felt out of whack…
Some days I wonder if this is what the apocalypse might be like,some days I think the quiet is awesome and I wish it would stay this way.But with Pizza.
I am well,I just have nothing to say.
Paco for a sunny winters’ day,and my 44th Birthday.
Is it normal to feel nostalgia and melancholia on your birthday,or is the pandemic screwing with me?
Who knows anymore,I feel like a character in a movie that has only one line…comment policy prevents me from writing it.Lol.
Happy Sunday guys and girls.
XO
Yeah, some bdays I feel great and forward-facing, and others I feel very wistful and a little melancholy!
What for? Not even sure, maybe just the idea that some beautiful moments have passed and won’t come around again. Portuguese saudade, in a nutshell – which autocorrect very earnestly tried to make “sausage” ?
I’m sorry to hear you’re having one of the latter bdays, but wishing you joy and happy returns nonetheless…
“The love that remains”….
Thank you for the wishes!?
Wishing you a very happy birthday and hope that you can find some peace and tranquility in the wash, rinse, repeat of your current life…..go get some pizza !!! ????
I wished you a happy birthday above but will do it again here…
I often find my birthday is not absolutely the happiest day of the year…but then I always wanted a summer birthday and I did not get one. We should switch birthdays! You could have a summer birthday in November and I could have a summer birthday in June.
Nov baby here too and always, always hated my brother’s for having June & July bday!
Happy Birthday sweet Johano!
It’s totally normal to feel nostalgic. This year pretty much stinks, but the beauty of life, is that next year might be great! Or God willing, uneventful.
A big mushy hug to you!?????
Somehow my comment got nestled with teebear’s ???
Only Italian kisses for you
Baci Baci
Wishing you a happy birthday, johano! I hope you are enjoying the day and were able to treat yourself to something wonderful.
Many Happy Returns.
Happy Birthday to you!
Out of wack is a very accurate way of describing how all of humanity is feeling right now but I do think we’re heading in a better direction.
Happy Scented Birthday Wishes johanob! I have had both happy and melancholy birthdays. Part of it might be the pressure of expectations… it is one’s b-day, so it “ought” to be happy, right? Well, in my case, sometimes yes and sometimes no. Hugs!
I would like to recommend a classic, George Eliot Middlemarch in which I immersed myself these past few weeks, plenty of wonderful secondary characters, and Ruth Rendell short stories The Fallen Curtain, they are less gruesome than her full length novels which are heavy going although very good.
Middlemarch is wonderful!
Did you ever try the Ruth Rendell Inspector Wexford series? I love those, and they’re not really gruesome.
Oh yes, Robin, you are right about the Wexford novels, I’ve read a few with great pleasure because of the details of English life.
I was forgetting, I would select Eau de Guerlain for Middlemarch, and Tubereuse Criminelle for Ruth Rendell, mainly because of its name.
It was freezing yesterday, mist and rain and windy and we went to the beach and braved a walk . Huge waves, spindrift, shore birds scooted and skittered by the gusts as they searched the high tide line , piles of kelp . We huddled against the rocks and watched…surfers! I am sure the water was warmer than the air but even so it was brutally cold. The surf was huge though and one or two people seemed to be getting rides. It got too cold so we came home and ate lentil soup and tried to warm up. Even the dogs were glum. Ambre des Merveilles today, Monday…again.
Lentil soup is a great way to warm up; it is a mainstay in my household. Smelling wonderful in AM!
I was in Initio Side Effect from a small decant for the walk this morning, and it survived a shower, so I decided it deserved the rest of the day. Very nice boozy vanilla that I wasn’t impressed with when I ordered it in February. I like it a lot better now, for some reason.
Made chocolate chip cookies today that call for 1/3C olive oil and 3T butter, and they turned out fine – didn’t miss the butter at all. Aged them overnight in the fridge, which always helps.
Also successfully made hamburger buns: no hockey pucks this time! I think weighing the flour made a difference. Fun day in the kitchen for me!
The weather is weird. Overcast and not too hot, with the light having a slight yellowish cast from the dust cloud. Hubster and I have been coughing more than usual for a couple of days. ?
Very fun day in the kitchen! Choc chip cookies sound interesting.
Not sure I’ve every met one I didn’t like 🙂
I did my cooking and baking yesterday. I made a strawberry cake which kind a disappointed me. I got my berries at the farmer’s market to make sure the flavor was the best but it just didn’t come through as much as I expected and hoped. Also made a sour cream and onion potato salad which was the bomb! I could eat that for breakfast, lunch and dinner — so good!
Do hope your coughs go away soon!
Mmmm, your potato salad sounds divine!
Bon Appetit recipe and highly recommend it. I didn’t add the sour cream & onion potato chips on top but I bet that would be a delicious addition.
olive oil in cookies! that’s fantastic, gotta try it 🙂
So happy about this poll. I’ve really struggled with books this past year, tried many and they’re just not keeping me engaged. I’ve started to wonder if it’s my social media habit that has changed my attention span and how I become and stay engaged. I’ve made some changes along those lines and hope it is helping.
On to books! Currently reading and thoroughly enjoing Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day. Thought provoking and interesting to think about those that worked great English houses back in the 19th century/early 20th. A Penhaligon scent seems like a good fit here but also a cologne like Terre D’Hermes.
Also enjoyed Wendell Berry’s Hannah Coulter and plan to read more of his books. Enjoyed the characters and their love for the land and the community even through it’s change over the years. A lily of the valley scent would work for this one.. Delrae’s Debut comes to mind.
The Remains of the Day is one of a very few books I have read more than once. It’s beautiful. 🙂
I’ve been wanting to read The Remains of the Day for forever. Thanks for the reminder! The film floored me, and I’ve heard the book was better. I’ve just gotten Wendell Barry’s book The Hidden Wound. I love his poetry!
One of the most beautiful books I have ever read and a true love letter to the natural world and plants in particular is Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I love Colson Whitehead. I can recommend The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys without reservation. I just finished The Big Goodbye, Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood by Sam Wasson. Chinatown is one of my favorite movies so this in-depth look at the personalities that created this film is engrossing. The author takes an unflinching look at the talented and criminal Roman Polanski but is really much more about how this film got made and all the many people it takes for this to happen. Sam Wasson also did a great biography of Bob Fosse that came out a couple of years ago. Which reminds me, if you did not catch the Fosse/Verdon television series, drop everything and go watch it!
I really want to read The Underground Railroad – glad to hear more good things about it. Thanks for the recommendation of Braiding Sweetgrass, too!
Sweetgrass sounds beautiful! Couldn’t resist it and just bought a copy on Amazon despite forbidding myself to buy on Amazon anymore to sabe small shops… but these books are hard to find in Spain. Thank you for the recommendation!
Doing some household tasks and catching up on my bills. And I am resting up, as the pandemic surge is hitting us in Texas and I head back into work tomorrow. . I am personally ok so far. But my 2 unemployed adult children are increasingly despondent. My usual advice of getting out there and getting a job and mixing with people is not possible right now.
I am commando today but I did recently receive my sole 2020 purchase of Narciso Rodriguez Musc (white bottle) and I love it. I have the Narcisco Rodriguez for Her – both the black EDT and pink EDP and love both. And this is the musky cousin.
I find myself wanting to escape with movies and books. Watched Hinterland on Netflix and loved the cool desolation. I was supposed to go to family reunion later this month, still considering but looking less likely that I will attend. Oh well . . .
I love the book recommendations, especially when paired with perfume. What could be better?
I’m still ploughing through Barry Lopez’ Horizon. It’s a mammoth work, and just looking at the size of the physical book bewildered me, so I opted to listen to it. I take several days for each chapter – it’s that dense, that remarkable, that complicated. I can’t think of a scent to pair with it.
Just finishing up Rebecca Solnit’s The Faraway Nearby. Rochas Femme comes to mind.
I’m really enjoying my splurge on Nez’ Olfactory magazines: Rose (Diptyque’s Rose de Mai), Jasmin (La Via Del Profumo’s Tawaf), and Narcissus (Vol de Nuit). I’ve read that Nez just came out with Orris.
TV viewing: we stumbled on A Hard Day’s Night last night and watched it all over again with glee, especially after a particularly fraught conversation about Corona and the state of y’know – the world.