We ended up doing four seasonal reading polls over the past 12 months, and I would love to do that again this year if there is interest? Do tell me in the comments if that is too many. We'll do a fall tv and movie poll on the 17th of this month, and then the splitmeet is coming up on the 24th.
Author birthdays this weekend: Thomas Wolfe, Gore Vidal and James Herriot on Saturday, Jackie Collins and Anne Rice on Sunday.
So meanwhile, please recommend a great book to add to our fall reading lists, and tell us what fragrance we should wear while reading it.
My recent reading:
As with last time, I have used much of my spare time on painting various rooms in my house, so my podcast listening is still up, and my reading is still down.
On the fiction front, I am still reading Hilary Mantel's The Mirror and the Light (I started it in the spring). It is possibly the longest I have ever taken to read any book...I read a few pages a week, and the farther along I go, the sadder it gets, and so the less I read). I am guessing I will finish it sometime in 2021. I finished The Parisian by Isabella Hammad, which I was halfway through at the time of the summer poll. I read What is Left the Daughter by Howard Norman (an author I loved years ago but forgot about, so now I am trying to catch up and I have a ways to go), and I started The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (the Hunger Games prequel, entertaining) but did not finish it before it was due back at the library, so now I am waiting for my hold to come up again.
I read 3 mysteries: The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths, and the last two books in the Thanet series by Dorothy Simpson. I need a new mystery series!
I read much less non-fiction this time. I skimmed bits of Becoming Duchess Goldblatt, but did not love it and did not finish it. I finished David Foster Wallace's A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again, and started his Consider The Lobster.
Note: top image is detail from Still Life with Books and a Violin by Jan Davidszoon de Heem, 1628, via Wikimedia Commons.
Good morning NST ? To self soothe, I have been reading old (early 1950s) romance novels that I read in high school – thanks, Kindle! I rewatch old sitcoms for the same reason, about kinder, gentler times. I need things that provide escape without taxing my brain too much. Perfume to wear while reading would ideally be Heaven Scent from high school but I don’t have any, so I’m wearing Hypnotic Poison instead.
Oh, for books to recommend, start with James Herriott All Creatures Great and Small and keep reading the next books in the series. A diverting trip to gentler times
I reread them all earlier in the spring and summer.
Note taken. Thanks, ringthing! ?
Did you see there is a new All Creatures Great and Small coming to PBS? It looks really good.
This is great news!
Yes! I’m a total PBS Masterpiece junky, lol. Leslie from the Durrell’s is one of the actors.
Yes! I’m excited about it
I LOVED All Creatures Great and Small, I’d be interested to see it!
Oh, I really liked the James Herriot books, with those very vivid human and animal characters.
Have you read the Mary Stewart books? I think she’s an amazing writer – her books are sort of high-end mystery/romance. I reread my whole collection from time to time.
Also soothing and quite entertaining is Gerald Durrell’s Corfu trilogy: My Family and Other Animals, Birds, Beasts and Relatives and The Garden of the Gods.
Thanks springpansy!
I loved the Corfu trilogy too. In keeping with the show, I found Lawrence’s Alexandria quartet much harder going, and never made it past the first volume. I optimistically bought them all, so it could still happen
I have the same unread quartet, somewhere in the book boxes.
The quartet is quite a struggle, but worth it I think. Having read it many years ago, when we got the chance to visit Alexandria I persuaded my husband we should go.Still a fascinating city but very different from Durrell’s days. No Greeks left, and the synagogue locked and barred by police who wanted to see our passports just for looking at it!
Oh glad you found it worth it! And how cool that you got to go to Alexandria.
My family and other animals is a staple on my audible – I turn to it when I can’t sleep, after nightmares, when I have too much on my mind. I find it soothing and enjoyable and can dip in at any point of the book
Seconding Mary Stewart’s earliest novels (mid to late 50s). I’ve just re-read Wildfire at Midnight, Madam Will You Talk, and The Moonspinners, and am about to dive into either This Rough Magic or My Brother Michael. Her descriptions of the settings she chooses are wonderful – and she chooses fabulous settings, like the south of France, or Skye, or Greek islands, or the mountains near Geneva. Highly recommended.
My sister and I loved the Moonspinners. We even saw the movie with a very young Haley Mills.
I love ALL Hayley Mills movies. Moonspinners is one of my favorites. I’ve often thought a Hayley Mills film festival would be a great thing.
I’ve never seen the movie – does is stick to the story in the book?
Me, too. (And full confession: I bought the movie – had to watch it again.)
Not completely but that was fine with me.
I was young. When I lived in Greece, I was in my late 20s and my sister and I would write international thin blue envelope letters about the moonspinners and so many other places I traveled to. Her son was still small and I hope she would come and visit for the whole summer but it didn’t happen. My ex husbands entire family came to visit for what felt like forever.
Mary Stewart: yes!
If you like gentle tales of bygone times Rosamunde Pilcher is a good one to read. The Shell Seekers comes to mind.
I’ve read all of Rosamund Pilcher over under sideways down, Coming Home is my favorite of hers. Great rec!
Oh my goodness, I remember reading that one when I was a kid. Thanks for the reminder!
Shell Seekers. that was a good one!
My reading has been slower than I would like. I find I am less disciplined and fiction, which was all I used to read, has become less and less appealing as I find it more difficult to be interested in what happens to so many characters. Is this my part of the universal attention disorder? I also start so many books, and then read slowly through one then the other and it ends up taking ages to finish anything.
Having said that, currently reading
Harari’s Sapiens (thought provoking indeed)
Steinbeck’s Log from the Sea of Cortez (less funny as the book goes on, so maybe the humour will pick up again)
Sei Shonagon’s Pillow Book (meditative reading bites for when I only have time or energy for a paragraph or two, almost like prose poetry)
Jasper Fforde’s Early Riser (very enjoyable, don’t know why I left it half way for three months)
Margaret Mee’s In search for Flowers in the Amazon Rainforest (feast for the eyes as well as the mind)
War and Peace (at this rate I might finish in 2030, even though I enjoy the book… sigh)
The Diary of a bookseller (started that this week – Very lighthearted, good (but not great?); the sort of book that has you adding to your ‘to read’ list)
Looking forward to the comments here to add even more to my ‘to read‘ list
Sotd: like this (forgive me lady Donatella for I have sinned…)
I have read War and Peace three times but have never managed to read ALL of the war portions…I start skimming when the battles start. So I guess you could say I’ve never read it.
Anna Karenina though I have read countless times, every word.
I read that Steinbeck years ago, when I used to actually spend time in Baja. I should read it again, I don’t remember a single word.
And Kevin just recommended Sapiens to me. I read the long piece on the author in the NYer, and cannot decide if I want to do more than that or not
I also read Anna Karenina in my teenage years, so I should revisit that to see how it would sit with me now.
I actually quite enjoy the war bits but of war and peace ? Tolstoy knew his military history and it shows.
I would for sure recommend Sapiens, although I can see how this books might not please everyone. For a book that is about ‘the history if homo Sapiens’ it’s a really succinct and before you get bored with a section or topic it moves on.
Love Jasper Fforde. I wish he’d do a sequel to Shades of Grey.
Can there be too many reading polls?! My library “for later” list is very long, and I like it that way. I find it very reassuring to know I can always find something I’m in the mood for.
I am nearly done with White Fragility, which I’ve been reading and studying with a book group from my school. We are teachers, the head custodian, a former administrator, and a student liaison, and it has been really wonderful to have so many different points of view as we work our way through the book. (Apropos to the content, we are less racially diverse, mostly white people with a couple latinx members.) Honestly, I’m not much of a book group kind of person, but it’s been so helpful to have conversations and work through what I think and how I feel with others. I hope it is work we can keep doing and find another book to study together.
I also have listened to the audiobook of NK Jemison’s The Fifth Season, and it was very good, and I’m looking forward to the next book from the series, whenever my library hold comes up.
NO SOTM, yet. I can’t seem to make the effort to choosing one right now. So, I guess I’ll stick with coffee.
I’m glad someone else likes the polls
The Fifth Season looks interesting, maybe I should start on sci fi since I am running out of mystery.
I like sci fi if it isn’t too geeky. I don’t really need them to explain how it all works.
Yes! Start SciFi. Go for Ursula K LeGuin.
Gypsy Water today – going hiking in a bit.
I’m looking forward to the latest Elly Griffiths, Robin. I’ve been reading the Shetland series by Ann Cleeves . I think it’s great even if you’ve seen the tv version – they’re pretty different to my mind. I have more on my to read list (library holds that I’m waiting for) like The Margot Affair, The Vanishing Half and Becoming – but I haven’t read them yet.
Ooh, enjoy your hike!??
I liked the Elly Griffiths, it was in keeping with the rest of the series. Like many authors, she has to up the ante every time, but so far she has not devolved to complete absurdity (I am done with Louise Penny, among others).
Agree about the Shetland series, although I do find the Vera series hard to read now. I also started her new series but there is only 1 volume so far.
Oh I have the first Vera on waiting list at library as well. Is it hard to read because you’ve seen the show or some other reason? I can’t get the shows without subscribing to Acorn so haven’t seen any.
If you have not seen any, do read them! And then watch them, they are wonderful.
I read the Shetland books before the series started, so I have no problem with both.
Vera is harder to read because I have already seen the series, exactly.
Reading polls are always welcome in my book. Sorry. ?
I finished Coming To My Senses a few days ago, and this will live on my nightstand along with The Guide.
Reading Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s The Shadow of the Wind on my Kindle, really liking how he writes. I’m sure it was recommended by one of you fine folk, and I thank you!
I’m in Lublin Kismet, leftover from last night. Made a pot of oatmeal to last me for several breakfasts, and now I’m craving Bois Farine. They might layer okay, what do y’all think?
I tried, but I couldn’t get through the Shadow of the Wind. Yes, I enjoyed his writing, but the descent into all the raping and pillaging– I couldn’t do it. I almost always only get to read a few minutes before bed. Maybe if I could have read it at a different time of day…
I liked SOTW, but I find anything like that harder to take at the moment.
Uh oh, I didn’t read enough of the reviews, apparently. Not sure I need to read things like that either right now. Like you, I do a lot of my reading before bed. I’m only into chapter 6, at any rate.
Thanks for bringing this up, springpansy! ?
Well, I might be a complete wimp. It’s worth a try anyway.
Nope, I don’t think you’re a wimp at all. Recognizing when something is ‘too much’, especially when things are currently so stressful, is key to self-care and being kind to yourself.
I tried to push through and paid the price. Looking back, it wasn’t worth suffering the consequences.
Thanks, ST! I appreciate those words.
I loved The Shadow of the Wind.
Such a shame the author passed away this year.
Hi Nancy, I may have been the one who mentioned it. I just completed Shadow of the Wind and found it quite enjoyable.
I didn’t realize the author recently passed away, such a shame!
It is a shame! I’ve enjoyed TSotW so far. We’ll see how it goes.
The Shadow Of The Wind was such a GOOD book! I have a few more of his in my queue.
During times of stress, I turn to old favorites and have reread all the Jane Austens for the umpteenth time. One surprise is that I enjoyed Mansfield Park much more than I remembered having done previously, and not even Fanny Price’s insipidity couldn’t ruin my pleasure in it. And Mary Crawford, the hussy, was quite a delight.
SOTD is Ambre 114, possibly my favorite amber (but I say that about all of them while wearing!)
You smell wonderful Farouche. Both Ambre Précieux and Ambre 114 are two ambers that I adore but do not own. At least 114 can be bought in a tiny bottle.
I tend to reread Austen when stressed. Or Dorothy Sayers. Have you ever read any of hers? I think some people will find some of her statements less than PC but it was all written in a different era.
Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey are probably my least favourite Austens. But Mary Crawford is fun, she is like Elizabeth Bennet but without her moral sense.
Ambre Precieux is another amber favorite of mine, too. I love the little bottle. So cute.
I also like your comment about Mary Crawford being like Elizabeth Bennet without her moral sensibility. Right on target. Will look for Dorothy Sayers!
If you find any of hers:
I highly recommend The Nine Tailors, Unnatural Death and Murder Must Advertise.
Also should you really get into them and would wish to follow the Wimsey Vane Relationship develop, I recommend you read Strong Poison, Have His Carcase, Gaudy Night (my top favourite Sayers novel) and Busman’s Honeymoon in that particular order.
Another really good Sayers novel without Wimsey is The Documents in the Case.
Thanks, austenfan!
I am so glad, because I have always liked Mansfield Park. I also like Persuasion, which I know many people don’t like. I don’t reread Northanger Abbey as often as the others, but I like that one too!
But of course Austenfan is right that they’re the weaker of the Austens. Other than Sandition, which I only read once, eons ago, and hope was not as silly as the PBS series (which I did thoroughly enjoy, mind you, it just wasn’t very Austen-like to me).
Emma is generally considered her masterpiece. And while I can kind of see why, it has never inspired the same affection that P&P and Persuasion have.
Exactly. It is one of the reasons I did not mind what they did to it in the last movie. Great fun, but if they did that to P&P or Persuasion it would be upsetting.
NYer did a piece on Austen last week btw.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/10/05/how-to-misread-jane-austen
Thanks for that link, Robin.
Excellent article! Have you read Longbourn, a novel based on the servants who lived in the Bennett household? An interesting read.
That was a fun and interesting essay.
In reply to Farouche: no I haven’t. I have heard about it though.
I look forward to reading this NY mag article but I want to say first that I just re-read Mansfield Park this Spring and was “shocked, shocked” at how dark it was. I did not think Fanny was weak but rather a poignant study in how a timid person with love and loyalty holds her ground against the brassy and bold. Mary Crawford is no heroine to me: she is more in the mode of Bertha Dorset or Serena Merle IMHO. I like my anti-heroines, and Miss Becky Sharpe holds her ground in my pantheon, but Mary Crawford, no.
I love them all, but P&P is my favorite.
It is, and the 1995 BBC series is my favourite interpretation.
Mine, too. Definitely the best Elizabeth and Darcy characters. I should buy it so I can watch it whenever I want!
I love Persuasion and also Mansfield Park.
Mary is the only way I can get through Mansfield Park. Although it’s not one I like. I like P&P and Persuasion best.
Me too.
I’m an odd duck. I liked Mansfield Park. Go figure. It’s been a number of years so I can’t say why.
I’m just glad it has its fans.
Ugh, forgot to ask: how do you perfumistas organize your bottles and decants? Mine are in alphabetical order by first name of the house. I’m considering a reorganization of maybe just my decants by season: cold weather, hot weather and transitional weather. Just thinking of ways to get better use out of the horde.
I organize mine by house. But the houses aren’t in any particular order. I’m not sure if it’s the best system, but it works for me.
I also organize by house, except I have a section just for incense scents, as they are a big favourite. The decants are in a completely separate box by themselves.
I was rooting through my decants and realized there was a lot of wiggle room. I could organize them by note…thanks for the input.
Oh – what are your top incense tips?
Gosh, so many: Heeley Cardinal, Arte Profumi Samharam, Masque Milano Mandala, Robert Piguet Casbah, Heretic Smudge, Memo Tiger’s Nest, Guerlain Encens Mythique, the Comme des Garcons Incense Series. That’s a start.
Cazaubon, do you like Bois d’Encens?
I don’t know about our Cazaubon, but I love Bois d’Encens! have about 1/4 bottle left.
Uh, organize? Not sure I understand what you mean. . . ?
A year or two ago, I bought an Amish jelly cabinet (2 solid doors, 4 shelves inside, about 5 feet high) to store my collection in, and I have found that once I had enough space, I don’t really have any inclination to organize things. They are roughly lumped together by house, but mostly it’s whatever I want to wear often ends up in front and everything else gets pushed around towards the back and sides. I do have a few old glass votive candle holders that I keep samples and small decants inside so they don’t knock over and wander away. Those aren’t organized at all, either. Just a place to stick things.
I went wandering the internet for a picture of a similar cabinet to mine, but couldn’t find a good fit after a few minutes. Sorry!
My perfume cabinet is similar to this one, but one shelf taller. (And I bought a floor model, so it wasn’t this expensive.)
https://www.amishtraditionswv.com/shaker-2-door-jelly-cabinet-3/
That’s beautiful!
That is gorgeous, and perfect for storage. Thanks for posting the link!?
Organize??
? exactly!
Mine are by note: so green, rose, light floral, BWF, incense, citrus, iris, colognes, chypres etc. I keep them in a haberdashery cabinet. So, if I’m in the mood for rose, I pull open my rose drawer and all the options are there. I don’t have many samples and decants, so they still fit in with the perfume boxes.
Ditto. I organize similar to your system except that it’s just for my samples/decants. I don’t organize bottles. I would have way too many if I organized by house, so this way, I just put them in categories that make sense to me. Citrus/fresh, floral, classic, incense, musk, etc, etc. They are in Ziplock bags labeled by category. Doesn’t usually take me long to find something.
I organize samples by house (mostly), in little ziplocks, but the full bottles that I keep readily accessible are organized visually, by height and shape. I have them on a shelf, on risers (one set of risers is clear plastic and meant for spice jars, and the other is a wooden box [meant for socks] turned on its side). I arrange them like a choir, with the tallest in the back. The bottles that I don’t reach for often are relegated to a couple of shoe boxes, with vintage separated from more current. My collection isn’t huge, but it’s bigger than I let on to Mr. G. ?
I know what you mean! When I did a massive sort last year, and saw everything gathered in one place, I was amazed and a bit horrified.
Mine are organized alphabetically by house in low baskets kept under my bed. This provides incentive to keep up with my yoga so that I can get down on the floor to retrieve them!
Oh, that’s a great idea! They may be a degree or so cooler, too.
My bottles aren’t organized at all. Somehow, I more or less know where they are, though. ? My samples and decants are organized by house.
Sotd is SL Clair de Musc. I caved and ordered a few samples from luckyscent. I’m specifically interested in the new JHaG Musc, but nothing from that house has worked for me so I’ll see how this one goes.
Currently reading Elizabeth is Missing in anticipation of the PBS Masterpiece. My daughter was like “but now you’ll know how it ends.” True, but it looks so intriguing that I can’t wait til January. I love a good mystery. And if it’s british, all the better. Also on my nightstand is The Book Thief which I gave to my daughter for Christmas. She loved it and recommend I read it too. And then for school I’m reading Community/ Public Health Nursing, an improvement over my last class.
One of my coworkers is retiring after today and so we’re sending her off with a potluck. I made my infamous carrot cake.?
Yum!!! I love carrot cake. You smell great.
Me too!? Thanks!
Mmm, carrot cake!
I know! My family was a little disgruntled that they had to smell the deliciousness of it baking last night and I took it to work.?
You smell lovely. I nearly wore Clair de Musc yesterday.
And I bet your carrot cake is delicious.
Thanks Glannys, it really is lovely but doesn’t last a long time on my skin.
The carrot cake was good. I might have had two pieces.?
Yum carrot cake!
??
Report back on that musc!
I will!? I’m hoping I like it because it’s available in a travel spray.
Ohhh, carrot cake is my favorite! YUM!
Please pass a slice my way?
It’s one of my favorites too! Passing you a virtual slice.
I just downloaded Elizabeth is Missing from the library. Thanks!
Love Clair de Musc.
One of Mr. Jalapeno’s grandmas made the best carrot cake! ?? It’s a happy memory.
I’m very slowly reading Topics of Conversation by Miranda Popkey. I still haven’t gotten my pre-pandemic reading groove back. SOTD is Boyfriend.
Another collection organization question- I have the option at this new house to display my entire collection on the shelves of a walk in closet. How many of you display your whole collection? Will 85 bottles be overwhelming? In the old house I pulled some out for a tray and kept the rest in a cabinet.
If I had the option to do that, I definitely would. The closet will keep them out of the light. I have a perfume tray too, but it does get dusty so that would be my only concern- dusting all those bottles but I think having them in a closet would help with that…?
Yes, they do not get dusty in the closet!
When I finally got the shelves I liked, I found it enchanting and satisfying to be able to see everything at a glance. Somewhere between the thrill of an excellent duty free shop and the satisfying organization and completeness of a library.
And Donatella would certainly approve!
Donatella would totally approve!
I have my collection (well, the San Diego half) on shelves in my closet and love it. And this is about 350 bottles, so no, I would not find 85 overwhelming, but YMMV.
No, I don’t display my whole collection. Mr. Jalapeno doesn’t need to know the extent of the perfume obsession…
Cool and partly cloudy, going for a walk down by the canal with a friend. I’m wearing Atélier des Ors Iris Fauve.
Right now I’m reading The Island of Point Nemo by Jean-Marie Blas de Roblès. It is clearly fiction, because Point Nemo is actually the geographical location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that is the furthest from any piece of land, and of course there is no island there.
Iris Fauve – you smell great cazaubon
For some unknown reasons I haven’t been able to focus on a book over the last couple of months so actually I haven’t read anything new since March. I don’t know if it’s because of covid or the books I tried to read were just not my cup of tea… I hope this passes.
So pardon for not giving any reading ideas this time.
It’s been a nice and warm-ish Saturday here so I wore Laboratorio Olfattivo Mandarino. By Jean-Claude Ellena. It’s very much his style, very simplistic – juicy and aromatic mandarin with tart, slightly acidic blackcurrant and then soft musks.
Thanks for the assessment on the Mandarino
Lucasai, there are many things that were part of my routine that I have been unable to do and/or sustain during the pandemic, so that makes sense to me! Life is just different.
I have zero focus for reading. I fall into old favorites for books and movies.
I download snippets onto kindle and check those out. And one free kindle book a month.
I have monkey mind right now.
Yesterday drove into office in downtown LA returned stuff got last paycheck.
Done and done
Wore Indochine as my superpower.
Haircut today in Pasadena. Week off till new job.
Enjoy your week off!
Thank you pixel!
Have a good rest between jobs
and good luck with the new one too
I’m very excited to start on the new project.
I bought myself a new Sennheisser headphone w/mic to replace my old one with some of my accrued vacation pay. I have lived low these past eight months and even though my salary has doubled want to keep lowing low.
Africa awaits as soon as we can safely travel.
That sounds fantastic.
I had to cancel my planned trip to visit Namibia due to the virus. This is the second time in my life something prevented me from
getting to Africa. 3rd time is the charm ?
Yes it will come to pass, I know.
My sister and I missed a few planned trips in the last three years of my moms life, and I don’t regret it.
The universe will continue to unfold. Namibia awaits.
Enjoy your week and glad that company is sending you a new bottle of that vetiver vanilla saw your comment in another thread!
I got the replacement today, She-Ra! Perfect condition. Really delighted.
Done and done! Enjoy your week off apsara!?
Enjoy the week! And the haircut.
I am reading 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke. I would like to see the movie, since it has a cult status, and apparently the movie makes more sense if you read the book first. I am familiar with the plot, but it is interesting to read how it develops and get to know the characters.
Inspired by Robin and @ka_rina, I went to a Lush store to check out the new (and some not so new) limited products. Bought: small bottles of Very Very Frightening, Roasting Chestnuts on an Open Fire and Yog Nog shower gels, a large pot of Boo shower slime and a piece of 13 Unlucky for Dirt soap. Very Very Frightening smells like a tropical citrus candy. Simple but fun. Roasting Chestnuts is nutty and smoky, a very cosy winter scent. Smells a bit like Cinders (a citrus almond bomb Lush used to make) and Maison Martin Margiela By the Fireplace. And Boo smells like Lord of Misrule (patchouli, vanilla and pepper) this year! I always loved 13 Unlucky for Dirt (rose and oregano scented), and was happy to find out they brought it back.
Smelled, liked but not bought (at least yet):
Winter Garden bath bomb – lots of ylang
Fresh As perfume – cypress, fir. Christmas tree-like scent (if you tried Needles and Pines jelly, I think this is the same fragrance).
Orange shower scrub – smells like Fanta.
Oh, and I tried the new Lush Frangipani perfume. Almond and something floral in the background. Where is tuberose and frangipani? ? To be fair, it was a short test on a strip. But tuberose is normally a very noticeable note.
Uh oh, lemmmmmmmmmmmmm
? and yes – I agree that roasting chestnuts reminds me somewhat of maison Margiela. A spicy, smoky, marzipane? I’m loving how the scent sort of opens up in the shower
While I did not think of marzipane when I first smelled Chestnuts, I sniffed it again – and yes you are right. Maybe I did not notice it because I rarely eat marzipane… Definitely smoky and less sweet than your typical marzipane fragrance. Should be a nice winter warmer.
Boo, chestnuts is not on the US website yet.
Yes, it is – https://www.lushusa.com/shower/shower-gels-jellies/roasting-chestnuts-on-an-open-fire/9999960315.html
Thank you!
Yes, I got a Lush email about the Christmas collection yesterday, Robin, and meant to tell you they have Chestnuts. I’m probably going to buy bottles of that and Very, Very Frightening. I absolutely do not need more shower gel, but I can’t resist.
Chestnuts I might put on my xmas wishlist or buy a big bottle of for the cold months. Very very frightening I will use up and not really miss.
I liked the book version of 2001 much better than the movie. I found the last 10 minutes of the 2001 movie interminable.
Love the reading polls, keep ’em coming. Now that I am retired I have so much more time for reading. Especially since I am mostly stuck inside due to smoke. It’s disgusting out today — AQI over 200, according to purple air. Late last night it was pretty good — AQI 30 — so I had the windows open. Like a dope forgot to close one, ick. Tired too, since husband and I were outside on the deck til 1 am, directing fire engines to a fire that was 8 miles away. We could see it clearly from our house but they couldn’t spot it from the roads. They did zero in on it, finally.
So! Reading! This summer I read all 3 of Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell books. Liked the 2nd one best. Read book 11 of 12 in the Poldark series by Winston Graham. While I was evacuated and uber-stressed, I started and dropped a couple of books (among them David Foster Wallace’s A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again), and retreated to Jeeves & Wooster stories from PG Wodehouse. Those made me feel better.
I’d held off reading Tamsyn Muir’s Harrow the Ninth as a post-retirement treat; so first I re-read Gideon the Ninth and then Harrow. It did not disappoint; I was delighted that it was not at all what I expected. Also read Robert Jackson Bennett’s Foundryside; ok, didn’t grab me as much as his Divine Cities series. We’ll see how the second book goes.
Read Practical Magic from Alice Hoffman. Meh. Wanted to shake the main characters too often. Read A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T Kingfisher… ok.
Yesterday I finished reading the latest Cormoran Strike mystery (Troubled Blood) from Robert Galbraith / JK Rowling; I think she’s getting better at this genre. Up next: Jasper Fforde’s latest, A Constant Rabbit. I’ll read anything he writes.
I’ll be starting to work thru my sample set of Ormonde Jayne La Route de Soie scents today.
Wow – impressive reading! Jeeves and Wooster is always lovely. If you like stories in that vain you could also try (Nancy?) Mitford books (e.g. love in a cold climate)
Oh yes, Nancy Mitford is so much fun.
Tried Mitford but she didn’t really connect with me. Perhaps I should give her another attempt…
Maybe try Jessica Mitford first ?
Ooh I’m waiting for the new Cormoran Strike to be in paperback!
Am taking down you sci-fi fantasy recs! I have about 15 hours of Wodehouse teed up on Audible for short escapes between books. Love it. My British father-in-law hates Wodehouse with a passion—the broadcasts from Germany during the war soured many in the UK on him, and his move to the US the final nail. So it took me years to finally meet Bertie and Jeeves.
Ugh, hope you get a good sleep tonight and hope all that smoke clears!
Interesting our different reactions to the DFW — I don’t think I would have read it if I *wasn’t* stressed! But Jeeves & Wooster likewise perfect.
Oh, gosh, the fires being so close sounds scary. I hope your air quality improves and the fire department can contain the fires.
I’m listening to the new Cormorant Strike. I still have it on reserve for e-book at library. I’ve found when I do my weekly sandwich making gig that listening to a book works well. I’m enjoying it. (The voice person puts on a Hagrid-like voice on occasion…)
I’ve only just started reading again since March. I was too distracted by various things. Did do some light reading as in Agatha Christie and Minette Walters but nothing more complex.
But last week I started reading Boulgakovs Master and Margherita. It’s interesting. The Dutch translation is a bit formal, but maybe the original Russian was as well.
There is a graphic novel version of this as well if that’s sth you might be interested in. Less formal
Thanks for letting me know, but I don’t really like graphic novels much. But I’m sure it is less formal
I have started Master and Margarita three times now (it’s currently in a stack of books on my nightstand) and have not been able to get past page 70. I feel a certain obligation to read it but I don’t seem to enjoy or “get it” so far. I should probably persevere. If the going gets tough I can always pick up PG Wodehouse (always on my nightstand), which acts as my spoonful of sugar ?
It took me ages to read the Magic Mountain by Mann, but boy was it worth it.
LOVED Magic Mountain. Never tried Master and Margherita.
adanst, you are wise to keep J&W right by your bed. I have a collected Jane Austen there for about the same reason.
Have you read Buddenbrooks and Death in Venice as well?
Yes, both, but then that is it for Thomas Mann. Lotte in Weimar has been on my list forever but I may never get to it.
Adanst have you ever read The Ascent of Rum Doodle. It’s hilarious and very silly. You might like it if you like Wodehouse.
I have not but thank you for the recommendation. I will look for it ?
Yes to spoonfuls of Wodehouse! (Helps the medicine go down?)
Exactly!
*Jeeves* *Bertie* *The Aunties* What’s not to love?
Ha! My spoonful of sugar for Master and Margarita, in another century, was a boy I liked who claimed it was his favorite book. So I read it.
That’s one of my favorite books! I’ve only read the English translation.
We ran out of nested comments above – yes, I do like Bois d’Encens, as well as Encens Satin.
Thanks for replying, still going strong with the packing?
Oh yes! Today I packed the books, my nightstand, and a box of fragile items that is going with us in the car. The house is a complete tip.
Gallagher Wicked Good today.
? ?
I haven’t been reading too much in the 3rd quarter…mostly caught up on TV shows and will comment on those in the upcoming poll.
I am still working my way through the Ruth Galloway books by Elly Griffiths and need to reserve the next one in the series.
Really looking forward to seeing what everyone else has been reading and taking notes!?
And likewise I am looking forward to expanding my “to watch” list!
I had the same experience re. The Mirror and the Light. The previous two books steadily consumed my attention from first page to last, but it took me literally months to finish TMatL. I found it so depressing I kept putting it down.
But then when I finally turned the last page, I found that I wasn’t yet ready to leave the story, so I picked up Gareth Russell’s Young, Damned & Fair, about Catherine Howard. It was great — breezy, interesting and informative, and it was nice to spend a few more hours in the company of Uncle Norfolk and Jane Rochford.
Oh very good to know, thanks — will add that to my reading list!
I’m recommending Love, Nina by Nina Stebbe to just about everyone. I listened to the audio and it was one of those books that encouraged many long walks with the dog. It’s non-fiction and the author reads letters she wrote to her sister while working as a nanny in London in the 1980s. Maybe it’s because I was a teen in the eighties, but more likely I loved it because the author was so real and insightful and incredibly funny.
I’m not sure if she’d be wearing Lauren by Ralph Lauren, but it’s what I craved in the eighties!
Added Love Nina to my list! Did you see the series w/ Helena Bonham Carter?
I haven’t seen it but know of it. I’ll check it out! I’m glad you added it to your list!
I am for the reading polls. They’re a good source of inspiration. For example, since the last poll I read the first two books in the Ruth Galloway series, which were recommended by several of you.
I also read four Agatha Christie books (The Murder at the Vicarage, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, The Murder on the Links and the ABC Murders) and three of Angela Sanders’ (aka Angie at NST) books.
Finally, I just finished reading the last of Peter Mayle’s books, My Twenty-Five years in Provence because I love the author and the subject.
As you can see, I’m keeping it pretty light.
Wearing Rose de Petra today for another gorgeous fall day.
Ditto with Agatha and Angela!
And ditto with Peter Mayle!
This summer in Provence I reread Excellent Women and Quartet in Autumn. The latter is darker, but they are both humorous. Barbara Pym has a sharp eye for human weaknesses, all her books have read so far are really good.
Testing Couleur Vanille thanks to Karina, at first I was taken by surprise by the marine element but it shifts quite quickly into a very wearable vanilla.
Love Pym.
Knowing your fondness for Jane Austen I’m not surprised?.
When I first read a Pym novel I was instantly struck by the similarities ?
Also a Pym fan. Time to reread her books.
She is perfect for these strange times, I so enjoy her descriptions of post-war England and of course the anthropologists?
I have Some Tame Gazelle tucked away somewhere. Have you read that one?
Yes, it’s v. good, my favorite is Excellent Women I think.
Also recommend Dorothy Whipple – I discovered her through Persephone books, a publishing house that re-released old treasures by female authors. They have a great catalog of fun-loving and intelligent reads.
I love how couleur vanille lingers towards the end… It’s facing off Eau Duelle from Dyptique for a potential vanilla purchase.
Thank you Karina, on the list she goes.
How choosing is hard, CV is probably more interesting, ED is sweet and comforting. La Maison de la Vanille has some good ones too, I have Vanille sauvage de Madagascar, lavender and vanilla.
Oh forgot to say, yes to reading polls, so much need for escape these days.
I haven’t been able to do a lot of reading this year. I have Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives by Allen Bullock waiting on my Kindle to be read. I want to get the new Jen Lancaster book but that is going to have to wait until Prime Day. Wasn’t motivated to do a lot of cleaning to day but did a little bit. In no 5 body lotion today.
I was not motivated to do *anything* today, but we went out and did the weeding in the front yard, the state of which had gotten possibly a little embarrassing.
Oh my courtyard is shameful. I have zero energy.
There are advantages to living in a townhouse ?
Yep
Go girl! I have kept the street view good; but the back yard has languished.
You cannot top the sad state that is my back yard, so let that cheer you up!
SOTM is Feu Secret. For reading, I’m mostly in the camp of self-soothing, which in my case means eliminating suspense and anxiety by re-reading things I’ve read a thousand times before. I listed a bunch of Mary Stewart’s romances above, and there are also all the Nero Wolfes and Perry Masons and Phryne Fishers and Agatha Christies. I’m also (like Robin) slowly working my way through three or four other books – I’m halfway through The Lost Vintage (Ann Mah) and What I Loved (Siri Hustvedt). Oh, and I did manage to read something quite suspenseful recently, and I think it was possible because it was total fantasy and thus had no real connection to actual life. If you’re a fan of vampire stories, I highly recommend it: Sunshine, by Robin McKinley. Wow, until I made this list I had no idea how much reading I’ve been doing. ?
I like a number of Robin McKinley’s books. A favorite of mine is Beauty.
Oh, good to know! I went looking for another of hers to read, but it seemed like a lot of them are aimed at the young adult market.
No perfume on yet, but my compliance with the CP yesterday was Rainbow Bar, and I am thinking I may wear it again today (I seem to be the only one on this forum totally taken with some in the 19-69 line).
I haven’t loved anything I’ve read (except some Austen, which, like others here, I reread from time to time for Calgon moments, as well as bits from The Little Locksmith, and Letters, by Katharine Butler Hathaway) or listened to lately, but liked a few.
Still avoiding the last in the Mantel trilogy, and instead read the most recent CJ Samson, Tombland. I enjoy his writing, and this one, while nominally about a murder of some distant relative of Anne Boleyn and Matthew Shardlake setting out to discover what happened, the book’s 800+ pages spend the majority of time imagining the Norfolk/Kett’s Rebellion following the enclosures, etc. with Shardlake caught up in those events as well.
Read Toobin’s High Crimes and Misdemeanors, and shall only say the title is apt and the book very depressing.
Listened to the most recent Galbraith/Rawlings mystery, Troubled Blood, and found it diverting. There are references to perfume and perfume plays a reconciliatory role in the end—will leave it at that.
Have listened to a few Charlotte Holmes (by Sherry Thomas) mysteries, which are light and fun, and perfect for afternoon walks. If you’ve read a bit of Sherlock Holmes in your day, you may enjoy these retellings—with the caveat that Thomas veers into the romance genre with some regularity and some of it gets a little Harlequin.
At the moment I am reading Circe by Madeline Miller and it is okay.
You’re not alone – I love Rainbow Bar. I drained my sample immediately, and it’s one of the first three perfumes I plan to buy when my no-buy is over.
Yay! I own fbs of Rainbow Bar and Chronic, but would be happy to own others. . . at some point. . .
I want Purple Haze too. Still kicking myself for not purchasing in the Twisted Lily sale.
I read Songs of Achilles by the same author and enjoyed it. Circe is on my reading list, eventually I’ll get to it!
I really enjoyed Circe
Calgon moments: ding, ding ding: I am always ready to be “taken away” with my reading choices. Look at my local newspaper every day and that is enough of “the real.”
I’m in Coromandel for a sunny but cold Saturday.
I enjoy readings books about writing and right now working my way thru Kill Your Darlings: From Aristotle to Zinsser by Peter Roy Clark.
For fiction I love Lianne Moriarty and just finished What Alice Forgot. It was a page turner while being thought provoking.
I also liked Louise Candish’s Those People. It seems I’m attracted to mysteries about the dark side about suburban living!
Did you read Candish’s first one, Our House?
No reading. Just work, work… work, work, work.
In Jacomo Silences.
You smell wonderful!
I am in Bengal Rouge and just about to bake a cherry pie. Double yum. I just picked up My Dark Vanessa from the library but I haven’t cracked it yer.
Hi Scentspirit, I haven’t seen you here for ages! I hope all is well.
I had the most wonderful time with the samples, and have several on my list of possible future purchases – a couple from Mandy Aftel were revelations. I passed most of the bag on to Kanuka a few weeks ago, it seemed like a treasure that shouldn’t stop with me.
Coincidentally, I made a cherry pie last night.
I read Kanuka’s comment and it made me happy. I haven’t been here much because I am on a purchasing hiatus and I get the wants when I read about someone sniffing something wonderful. We purchased a time share when we were in Maui and I promised myself I wouldn’t buy anything unnecessary until it is paid off. That should happen in February, but with the virus who knows when we will be able to make use of it again. I’m so glad you have enjoyed the samples, passing them on gave me a lot of pleasure too!
Oh, that must be hard to have a new time share and not be sure when you can use it again!
I’m currently listening to My Dark Vanessa, taken out of the library on a whim because my older daughter’s named Vanessa. It’s a tough read, although fiction, about a 15-year-old boarding school student who is sexually abused by her English teacher. It’s very powerful, but I can only listen to it a little at a time.
Yum and yum on scent and pie!
I haven’t done much reading of late – other than perfume blogs
. Like Adanst, I’ve been enjoying both re-reading Agatha Christie and Angela Sanders.
Perfume-wise, I’m still in the traces of last night’s Velvet Rouge from Arte Profumi. It’s lovely, but potent. A level of commitment is needed to spray this one. It doesn’t seem to be very popular. I pounced on it months ago when Luckyscent had a few dollars off it, and it’s still on sale.
I’m eyeing it as well, Velvet Rouge is lovely.
Un Jardin sur le nope. Oh hi Terre d Hermes. I did not like you the first time.
Also Omni coral. Watered down Hawaiian Punch. Thankfully they were minis and cheap.
Watered down Hawaiian Punch covers a number of the Omnia flankers
Yes for reading polls! I would not have found Elly Griffiths without them. I have been deep into series books the past six months. I like getting to know the characters and seeing how they evolve. I’ve been reading Craig Johnson’s Longmire series, he writes beautifully about nature and Wyoming and the mysteries aren’t bad, either. Deva’s photos on Instagram helped too. I liked the Orphan X series, by Gregg Hurwitz, about a rogue former government assassin. Robert Crais’ Elvis Cole books are fun. I also finished Troubled Blood, the latest Galbraith/Rowling book in the Cormoran Strike series. For silly fun and a fast, fast read, Rhys Bowen’s Her Royal Spyness series is just fluff, as is Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London (about a wizard policeman). On the nightstand is Orthodox (I watched the Netflix movie and wanted to read the book) Luca Turin’s Folio columns (free with Kindle Unlimited), Kevin Kwan’s Sex and Vanity (from the author of China Rich Girlfriend) and The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths. I cannot read anything with much conflict these days, there is enough in the news. Too many books to make perfume recommendations, so I’ll just say that today I’m wearing Musc Tonkin and enjoying it a lot.
agree, two thumbs up for reading polls.
Thank you for mentioning LT’s Folio, I’d forgotten about them. Also added Sex and Vanity to my list. Should be fun.
I read the first couple of Rivers of London novels. Interesting mythologies and legends mixing together there. I liked that there’s a look at the immigrant experience, and modern London, though all mixed in with the fantasy.
Oh, they are a fun read
I read a few of the Longmire books too; eventually they got too violent for me. The tv series got too violent even faster
SotD = Eau de Guerlain
Craving EdG’s citrus and cool herbs today. It’s hot again.
I’m still reading The Murder Room, along with My Brilliant Friend at the time. MBF is getting more attention, it’s a library book so I’m on a deadline.
Unusual that I’m reading two books at once, I’m usually monogamous. And it’s odd that I can’t finish a book these days. Moving at a different pace these days.
Highly recommend A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again, mentioned by Robin, if you’re into essays.
Hope to get a swim and walk at the beach early this evening. It’s been too long.
Stay cool, fragrant friends!
We are the first letter of the brand for SOTD twins! I may have to cave and get My Brilliant Friend on Kindle as our library has atrocious hours and I am not comfortable yet borrowing physical books ??♀️
Go, go, go Team G! ?
Forgot to say I would pair Tam Dao witu The Murder Room. It would smell nice on Adam Dalgliesh.
Yes, please on the Reading polls. At some point, I will contribute. So far, I’m still reading past issues of Reader’s Digest and I have plenty of them to keep me busy. I always go to the earliest one as I found another stack last week.
The most recent article was a la confessions of a UPS driver. Some tips: 1) slapping on a FRAGILE sticker or writing it on the box – don’t waste your time as they are treated like any other package; if it is something really fragile, use the “high value” option and / or pack your item inside a styrofoam cooler 2) if you want possibly special handling (but not pay extra), let your kid or yourself go to town on marking the box with crayons…these usually bring on a smile 3) did you know there’s a standard for the minimum width of packaging tape?
Today, my sisters and I and the brothers-in-law got together at a sister’s house and celebrated her birthday. She had us choose whatever we wanted from Seasons 52 and she picked them up. We had the lunch at her tinyish fenced-in backyard but it was large enough for a very comfortable almost socially-distanced meal. I miss these get togethers. We will be meeting up again later in the month for my nephew’s birthday (sister’s place again) and then definitely again for Thanksgiving (dine-in at Seasons 52).
My SOTD was a half dose of Gucci Tears of Iris as one of the B-I-L’s is a scent phobe and it stayed a skin scent throughout its life and passed ?.
And I am reading NY Times online again. I did not actually stop but I am reading more (but not more than I used to).
Tears of Iris is beautiful! ? Plus the owls?are so cute. ?
Happy birthday to your sister. ?
My family is also doing the distanced outdoor gathering for birthdays, we did one yesterday. Haven’t progressed to eating together yet, my parents are very careful about their exposure to others due to their age and Dad’s diabetes. Baby steps! ?
Thank you. It was definitely much easier for us but it still took a while and we will continue to be extra cautious. I hope you can progress to socially distant meals outdoors, in due course. One of the discussion topics was how to keep the outdoors not as cold if we want to continue meeting when it is cold out! The answer: propane heater.
I like the food at Seasons 52, and enjoy the atmosphere there as well. But I haven’t eaten out at a restaurant since sometime in early March. That sounds like a nice party!
Same here! Just today, I met up with a friend to do a socially distanced masked walk and we ended up having a margarita at an outdoors seating area nearby.
Glad to hear that your sister’s B-day get together went well! You had perfect autumn weather for it, too. ????
Thanks and indeed, the weather was perfect. Their tiny 10 lb mini-Havanese acted and barked like a 200 lb guard dog.
I’ve read several of Courtney Milan’s historical romances lately. I don’t feel like I always quite get why the protagonists get into extreme misunderstandings with each other in some of the books. And I don’t see exactly why some of the women’s pasts are so horribly scandalous and also how those dire pasts can be such big secrets when a good number of other characters in the book know about what happened. However, I do like the books.
I just read The President is a Sick Man today. It’s about Grover Cleveland and the lengths that he went to to make sure the public didn’t know he was having surgery to have a cancerous mass removed from the roof of his mouth and his jaw. There was quite a limit on what the medicine and treatments of the time could do about cancer, but it seemed that the doctors who treated President Cleveland had just recently made some leaps forward with recognition of cancer cells and some surgeries they could do. Also, they believed in Joseph Lister’s teachings.
I’m trying to teach myself to sound out Yiddish. I know a number of expressions as transliterated, but I had forgotten the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Considering that I learned the alef-bet some decades ago, when I was in my early twenties, I was surprised how fast the letters came back when I looked at them written down in the last couple of days. I still can’t pronounce the “ch” and “kh” sounds right, but I should be able to read enough to match up letters with what I know are the transliterated sounds.
I’ve been watching the Cornell University Ornithology Lab bird cams on video as one relaxing alternative to news. I think I mentioned watching hummingbirds at feeders in West Texas. I got field guides to North American birds, which have been semi-helpful with identification. The guides note that there are three or four species of hummingbirds where it’s nearly impossible to tell the females of one of those species apart from females of another of those species. Also there are a couple of species where it’s even tough to tell the male of one species apart from the other species, apparently, and they have orange iridescence at the throat. I’ll have to read that page again to get the hang of the difference between rufous and Allen’s hummingbirds. One would think that iridescent orange would be a distinguishing mark.
I’ve been experimenting with soul food recipes again. In the case of the recipes I’ve been looking at in Carla Hall’s cookbook, it’s kind of nouveau soul food. She adds in ingredients that are native to Africa, and ingredients more regularly known and used in Caribbean cooking.
I kind of flit from one topic to the next. I can’t deal with anything too heavy in fictional reading.
I had an interest in learning to read the Bible in Hebrew back when I was doing my undergraduate studies so I took an off-curriculum no-credit series with one of the campus ministers. I wish I had continued.
I’ve had difficulty finishing books for a couple of years now and have scores of unread books lying around. Yet, somehow, I am now halfway through John Bolton’s book In the Room Where It Happened. The title is apt: it’s just like being in the Sit Room or the Oval with the National Security Advisor and having him whisper in your ear what is going on and reveal his tactics.
It’s all policy and the nitty-gritty mechanics of governments and diplomacy. You learn nothing about Bolton’s personal life. His observations about those he deals with can be quite catty. The book appears to be a very candid and detailed account. You see exactly why Bolton has a reputation as a skilled bureaucratic operative.
It’s also long — nearly 600 pages, but each chapter relates Bolton’s involvement in a particular national security issue area, such as the North Korea negotiations, which makes it a bit more manageable.
I can’t really say that I *like* this book, but I find it fascinating to be a fly on the wall during these high-level meetings and phone calls.
SOTD: Oud by Brooklyn Perfume Company, which I do recommend trying.
You make it sound very interesting, and it’s not something I would ever have thought about reading. Thanks.
The NYT review criticizes him for basically dumping his extensive notes, written with “little discernible attention to style” and filled “with minute and often extraneous details,” which is exactly why I like it.
You do have to either share or put up with Bolton’s very strong views on what national security priorities should be, as well as who he views as ineffective or misguided.
Gorgeous day yesterday and looks to be same today. So happy to be out of travel quarantine! Le Temps d’une Fête seems appropriate for the day. Husband and I are doing the public membership vows at our live church this morning…COVID interrupted that process. There’s a picnic in Central Park after, but we will play that by ear.
I think I posted this link at last,poll, but will do again. https://www.bookbub.com/blog/mystery-book-series
The Children’s House ones are kind of twisted. The Nora Watts ones are interesting for her character.
I did read the North of the Tension Line series by JF Riordan this summer – most recent one a couple of weeks ago. Very much (quirky) character-driven. Plot entirely secondary and a bit contrived. I found them charming and enjoyed them greatly, my sister read the first one and was bored and didn’t like it at all. (They’re set up on Washington Island and in Door County, WI so I got a kick out of it before visiting there.). They reminded me a little of the old Robert Benchley books, now long out of print. The Off-Islanders was a favorite…was made into the movie The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming,
Now I have a voice in my head (in a very bad Russian accent) saying, “Emeergiency, emeergiency! Everybody to get from stritt!”
Although that might have been from The Mouse That Roared instead.
Nope. It’s the Russians are Coming. Hilarious. I always think of that line too.
I don’t know this reference, but now I’m saying ” danger, danger Will Robinson”
?
A favorite of mine….
I’m in SL Clair de Musc again. The last of my sample. Trying to use a few up this week before the next batch arrives. Today is my Friday, so TGiS.
Love the reading polls, love the watching pollls, and then I got to thinking….Robin, have you ever done a listening poll?? Playlist Friday was my favorite cp ever because I loved seeing what everyone picked as their song choice. My reading for pleasure seems to go in spurts but I listen to music every single day. Anyway, a listening poll might be fun, what do you think?
Somewhat related to reading AND watching, we started watching The Booksellers on prime last night. It’s a documentary on book sellers (obviously?) in nyc. For anyone who loves books and bookstores I would recommend it. It makes me sad how many bookstores are disappearing. I love wandering around old used bookstores.
Happy Friday!
Thanks!?
I would welcome a listening poll! I’ve been listening to loads of podcasts, and I would happily welcome podcast recommendations.
?for a listening poll.
????
I’d be completely jazzed for a listening poll! ?
Oh good, I have The Booksellers on my watch list! I also love used book stores, but now that I am trying to divest myself of a lifetime of buying, it is just as well for me to stay out of them.
A listening poll is a great idea!
Thanks for the recommendation. I looooove bookstores.
I ended the night last night in Gris Clair, which I find very comforting. I wish I *knew* if the new bottles contained the same juice! I am teetering very close to finishing the bottle I have.
After hearing someone talk about their “spice mix” they put in their coffee, I’ve been experimenting with spices in mine. I do a pour-over mug of coffee each morning (beans from Sumatra, dark roast, but I prefer medium when I can find it). I’ve played with variations of cinnamon, cloves, cadamom, and even a bit of tumeric. Sometimes I put it in the cone filter with the coffee and sometimes straight into my mug. It’s been fun! I like the warmth from the spices. Anyone else do something like this? Any great combination suggestions?
We were house twins.??
Hello twin! ??
I used to do the pourover method with cardamom or cinnamon or nutmeg. I think nutmeg was my favorite. Mr. G hated anything added to his coffee (more fool him!), and now we have a latte machine. Sometimes I sprinkle cinnamon on the foam … I should try nutmeg, can’t think why I haven’t already.
Nutmeg sounds really good! That’s totally gonna be tomorrow’s experiment!
I read Kate Mosse Labyrinth on the holidays and now started the Amuylett series, at the moment i am reading the fifth book. On my list to be read is Pachinko and the first book of Donna Tartt. I liked Where the crawdads sing also a lot.
Scent of the quarantine is Bottega Veneta
We returned from Burgundy yesterday and by law we have to quarantine ourselves until we are tested negative. Hope we can be tested on Monday…
You smell wonderful. I hope you can be tested soon!
I wish we had the rule here that if you get tested, you are out of quarantine. No matter how you test…you still must do 14 days.
I have heard of folks testing negatively a few times before it pops up as positive. Might be variations in the tests themselves, or maybe in how folks form antibodies? Either way, it is my understanding that the uncertainty has led to these sorts of quarantine rules.
Not in any way meant to discredit that I’m sure it’s terribly frustrating to feel healthy and still be stuck inside. Just thinking outloud about the reasoning for such policies!
Asymptomatic transmission, methinks ?
Or longer incubation period ??♀️
Oh I totally get it. I actually wish it selfishly but also know it wouldn’t be prudent. Too many false negatives.
My scent today is Heretic’s Smudge. I smell absolutely fantastic. So happy it’s cooled down enough for incense scents!
I love a good incense, that one is on my never ending to try list.
You’re rejoicing in the cooler weather and I was rejoicing in 82 degree weather.
This weekend I am wearing Lalique Elegance Animale. A leather and rose combo. I’m really enjoying it.
I don’t have any reading recommendations but I do have one for new candy! Kit Kat Apple pie, I think it’s called. It taste just like a McDonald’s apple pie, lol.
Hello Lillyjo, I don’t know this Lalique, is it a little like TM Miroir des Joyaux? I have this, Illuminum Rose Oud, and Armani Rose d’Arabie, I tell myself it’s enough for this category.
The Kit Kat hasn’t made it across the pond yet?
Yes, I would say they are the same catagory. I do prefer the Mugler. The lalique scews a bit masculine on me.
Thank you Lillyjo, good to know. I forgot to list my Oscar de la Renta Midnight Amber which smells better than the Armani.
Good to know! I’ve been interested in that one.
I haven’t had a McDonald’s apple pie in decades!
They are too tiny and expensive now. The Kit Kat is good though.
Probably wouldn’t taste as good as my memory of it, either. Some things I loved as a kid are better off left in the past.
Spending the day in Amouage Lyric and making something to eat. I am hoping that Amazon will have some good deals for Kindle books and the video game I have been eyeing for my dad for Christmas.
What did you make to eat?
I love the poll and am amazed at the extent and variety of everyone’s reading. I’m like Lucasi I guess, have not been able to do much of any reading in these troubled times, which is not like me. I’m too distracted. I do a fair amount of philosophical reading for my work but not much fiction. The most recent novel I read was Camus’s The Fall, which is supposedly his latest view on issues of ethics that were also addressed in The Stranger and The Plague. The Fall has a certain technical virtuosity in how it is constructed or narrated, and is a very easy and quick read, not as disturbing as The Plague but I liked it less. I too have the third Hilary Mantel book on my Kindle but have not started it yet. I mostly seem to be addicted to serial programs on Netflix or Acorn and continue to love anything that is Scandinavian or Nordic Noir. The best recent find is Rebecka Martinsson (that’s the name of the series and character) which is quite dark and chilling. VERY very dark, be warned. I have read the books too by Åsa Larsson and enjoyed them. The setting is Kiruna in the far north, above the Arctic Circle (where they have the ice hotels in winter), and in the TV show it’s absolutely incredible looking. I only watched Season 1 so far because for some reason they changed the lead actor and in Season 2 she’s not supposed to be very good. Disappointing. Also hooked on the Finnish show Bordertown which just completed its third season this past April and is fantastic, also very dark, with an incredibly fiendish yet fascinatingly brilliant recurring villain. And the lead detective is extremely eccentric and probably has Asperger’s but is so charming. Also full of brilliant aerial shots of swathes of Finnish forests blanketed in snow. Maybe I love these shows as escapism from our Houston summers! Anyway, on the topic of perfumes, yesterday I wore Marfa and today I haven’t selected anything yet. Lazy morning of sleeping in with the cat.
PS. So as not to sound ridiculously sloth-like, I will add that I’m taking the continuation of my writing course now, for eight weeks. It has seven members, all of whom were in it in the summer, and so each week I do hear their stories. Some are memoir, one guy writes excellent hard-boiled or sci-fi stories, and some do more comedic stuff. My story this week was about my uncle and his favorite goose whom he named “Honk.” He had a lot of flocks of birds at their farm in Michigan.
I love that detail about the goose named “Honk”!
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/ZRM/rebecka-martinsson
Info on the three Larsson novels. Very strong chilling stories with an interestingly troubled yet brilliant heroine, who is a successful lawyer in Stockholm returning to her roots in far northern Sweden.
Ooh! Thanks for the link Calypso! I am half Scandinavian, so you piqued my interest. I just checked and my library has them and not too many holds, yay!
We are deep in Nordic Noir viewing also and its amazing how much there is. Bordertown was great and we just finished another Finnish one, originally called Skarpi (the female lead character’s name). I can’t remember what it is called in English! Haven’t seen Rebekka Martinsson and am excited to have another lined up.
Random bad news update (cuz you really need more bad news?)
Kenzo Takada died today, due to complications from COVID.
And so it goes.
I heard about that earlier this afternoon. ?
(;_;) Will wear Flower tomorrow – RIP.
I’m so sorry to hear that.
The NYT obituary is interesting:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/04/style/kenzo-takada-dead.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=Obituaries
I really love Kenzo Amour — although on reading the NYT obituary and checking Fragrantica, I can see it was created (2005) by Daphne Bugey and Oliver Cresp after Kenzo was no longer involved in the company.
I saw that. Have my Kenzo Air already lined up for tomorrow.
Oh wow, sad indeed.
I’m reeking today in JM Vetiver & Golden Vanilla, Sel de Vetiver and Crepuscle des Ames. It all seems to be playing together reasonably well!
Making lasagna soup for supper tonight. It’s basically an assembly, and I get to pound dry pasta noodles with a mallet, with my operational hand, of course.
Shopping Amazon this afternoon for Christmas gifts for the two grandbabies. Trying to space out the expense over the rest of the year. We get photos of them frequently, and they have a million toys already, I swear. I’m tempted to give them a pile of books and leave it at that. ?
Lasagna soup? That sound intriguing!
Yes it does—please tell us more! I’m going to make pumpkin red lentil soup and will use a perfect little pie pumpkin I bought so I can also roast the seeds!
It looks like a good way to use up marinara and noodles. Here ya go!
https://www.simplyscratch.com/2020/09/lasagna-soup.html
Your lentil soup sounds delicious!
Pounding the noodles sounds so satisfying right now haha.
I really can’t make any recommendations for the reading poll, since I haven’t really had the attention span for books for a while now. Not sure I can finish a magazine in one go right now, either. It’s probably stress. I have enjoying seeing/reading what everyone else has been enjoying, though.
SOTWeekend = more dabs of Chamade from my little sample.
You smell wonderful!
Thank you MossyBerry!
Ugh, syntax error! That should be “have enjoyed…” or “have been enjoying…” I *did* do well in English back in the day, honest!
Ooh. Chamade. Gorgeous.
Trying not to get a lemming for it!
You smell fab.
Wearing Ambra Nobile, a dry amber, heavy on labdanum, I like it quite a bit.
Is labdanum spicy smelling to you? It smells like the world’s best stocked spice cabinet to me.
My apology, just reading you now. It is to me a very middle eastern scent, yes, dusty, spicy and woody, beeswax like polished floors.
I vote for continued reading polls: I think quarterly would be good; maybe more for some special reason! I have enjoyed reading new suggestions and finding that other NST’ers share some of my favorites. SOTD: flibberty-gibbet day, EL Beautiful (’cause I lemminged the Andy Warhol “Absolu” version; Shalimar Souffle Intense to try to get to know it; but officially it shall be Lou Lou for my “rescue project.” Got a broken sprayer vintage and when you take off the nozzle and tip it on your arm, it’s Lou Lou dribbling everywhere to be dabbed and bring on that sandalwood, incense and tuberose!
Lots of heavy hitters for you today! Wowza!
Today’s soup of the day is Geisha Vanilla Hinoki, sent to me by the lovely and fantabulous Floragal, one of many of a HUGE assortment that she sent for my Dibs. Liked this one, kind of a smoky vanilla type, and it lasted almost all day too.
I do not have a fall reading list, with the exception of NST, I have too much stuff on Netflix and my DVR to catch up on. Also, my crossword puzzles; I have been getting back into those after a bit of a hiatus.
I haven’t tried that one but it sounds great. I love Geisha Noire.
Polished off my old Ambre Sultan decant today and enjoying it so much. I still have a spray sample too, but maybe after that a bottle is in order. I think I’ll wait to talk about books tomorrow since it’s so late today. Probably not many people will see this post.
I wore Ambre Sultan yesterday. You smell wonderful.
Very late to the party, but i have read some wonderful books recently. Robin, I love Ellie Griffiths, and can’t wait to read the Lantern Men, my mum is reading it now, and will pass onto me when she has finished. I really think Ruth Galloway is one of the best defectives in contemporary fiction.
I’ve recently read Diane Setterfields ‘Once Upon a River’, a Victorian tale set by the Thames in Oxford, I liked it a lot, not quite as much as ‘The thirteenth tale’ tho.
I’m now reading Emma Donaghue’s ‘new novel, ‘The Pull of Stars’, set in Dublin 1918, on a makeshift maternity/influenza ward, and about the relationship between three women who work there. Amazing read, graphic birth scenes, high mortality rates etc, not for the squeamish, but wonderfully written. (Mortality especially among illegitimate babies was much, much higher than anywhere in Europe at this time). There are so many parallels with what’s going on with the pandemic today, it’s uncanny it was published this year..
I’ve just finished Border; Journey to the Edge of Europe, by Kapka Kassabova, a rec from Victoria at BDJ. A really fascinating and important read. Now I want to read all of her other travel writing.
Osmanthus Interdite for a warm, sunny day. Drove into LA to Koreatown to stock up on stuff at the skincare place I go to, some Korean food items at the Galleria Market, and ate some lunch on a patio. It was 82 degrees and it was amazing and good for my mood.
I’ve currently been reading Obama’s new book, A Promised Land. I’ve also recently read Dark Tower by Stephen King, The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim, and and Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver. I tend to be read one physical book and listening to another on my Audible. I do love an audiobook.