Welcome to our 4th annual spring reading poll! Please recommend a great book to add to our reading lists, and tell us what fragrance we should wear while reading it.
(Or, as always, just talk about something else.)
What I've read since our winter reading poll:
Starting with fiction... I re-read Olivia Manning's The Balkan Trilogy and am currently working my way through the Levant Trilogy (together the six books are known as Fortunes of War, which I highly recommend if you have never read them, and especially if you have any interest in World War II). I also re-read Yasunari Kawabata's Snow Country since there has been so much conversation about it in the comments (I think starting with Kanuka and lovestosmellgood; I thought I was reading it for the first time, but realized within a few pages that I read it years ago.)
Newer books I've read include Euphoria by Lily King, We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler and Anthony Doerr All The Light We Cannot See. The last novel I finished was The Book of Goose by Yiyun Li, which I loved, and that is the one I will give a fragrance: Black March by CB I Hate Perfume.
I read 3 non-fiction books this quarter, Living and Dying With Marcel Proust by Christopher Prendergast (recommended by Kanuka, fascinating, and momentarily made me think I should re-read Proust, but no, I don't think I will) and Penelope Fitzgerald's The Knox Brothers (about her family) plus her biography of Edward Burne-Jones.
For mysteries, I read the first seven books in the Commissario Ricciardi series by Maurizio de Giovanni, which was recommended by Calypso. I will be sorry when I'm done with what they've translated into English so far.
Note: top image is A Lantern to See By: The Bryn Mawr Story [cropped] by Maria at flickr; some rights reserved.
I have nothing to contribute to the reading poll. I’m still in old movie mode and I’m kind of obsessed with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly right now. Their style is so different but both are fun and uplifting to watch. Always on the hunt for uplifting escapism.
My sotd is Tempo again and I’m loving it!
Will be thinking of you tomorrow Robin, praying for your strength and courage.
Thank you so much ringthing!
I am all in for uplifting escapism.
Here,here!
Did someone say books 📚? ❤️
I am over 200 pages into The Bull From the Sea by Renualt. So far it’s been a cold spring – and exploring perfumes that are light and airy for all the Theseus travels to Greek Islands isn’t really my thing at the moment
I think most of you know what I have read so far this year since I talk about books as much as I talk about perfume.
Robin- I just bought a Proust book to add to my stack. I have only read Swanns Way.
For those of you who know I volunteer at the NYPL – I thought I would mentioned we have a Charles Darwin exhibit that just opened.
My SOTD is Royal Elixer- fitting for the coronation tea party I am going to later.
Getting ready to make scones and will dig out a fancy hat 👒
Enjoy your tea party, its sounds fun 🫖
Swann’s Way was probably my favorite of them all. But now I wish I’d read the Prendergast book, or any other book like it, before I’d finished the whole series. It would have been helpful, especially since I read the books so slowly I lost sight of the bigger picture.
I’m an escapist reader and lately have been indulging in re-reads of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe series and lots of Dorothy Sayers’ Wimsey series. In between those, I have tried and mostly failed to broaden my literary interests. I just read the first five chapters of How To Do Nothing by Jenny Odell — the intro and first chapter were exactly what I was hoping for, and the next several chapters got so off-topic that I gave up on it. Right now I’m in the middle of The Floating Admiral, which was a sort of exercise/wager among Sayers, Agatha Christie and other members of a mystery authors’ group where they each wrote a chapter of a mystery novel, based on whatever prior chapters they were given, and without really knowing what the mystery story would become after each passed their contribution on to the next author in line. It reads a bit like a high-schooler’s effort, but it’s reasonably entertaining seeing what clues each author throws in. I think I would scent this story with Broken Theories, in part for the “fire in the cozy library” vibe and in part for how the earlier authors must have felt after they saw what later authors had done to their work.
Love love love Nero Wolfe and Peter Wimsey.
I have never read The Floating Admiral although I’ve heard of it. I should give it a shot.
I just finished “The Chaos Machine,” by Max Fisher, which I highly recommend to anyone interested in social media’s role in changing the fundamentals of our political discourse and interactions.
I’ve just started “Ducks”, by Kate Beaton, which so far is a quite absorbing graphic novel about leaving home in Nova Scotia to go to the oilsands to pay off your college debt.
I think maybe I mentioned reading “Fleishman is in Trouble” in the last poll?
And that’s about it for my reading; the library keeps sending me books I’ve requested all in big clumps (because I have to request them months / years in advance), and I keep having to return them before I can finish them or even get to them because I’ve got two other books at the same time. Case in point: “Entangled Life”, which I’ve had twice now. Same for “The Island of Missing Trees.” I will get back to them!
I’ve also been spending a lot of time reading guidebooks to Greece and planning our trip this summer, which is keeping me from reading other things. I have the kid and the spouse set up with “Circe” and Emily Wilson’s “Odyssey”, respectively.
No SOTD yet. I think I may just pull something random from the sample pile.
I have Ducks on reserve at the local public library, but since last I checked there were 75 people ahead of me, it’ll be a while before I see it. I know it’ll be worth the wait: she’s such a gifted storyteller and cartoonist.
She really is!
I ordered Ducks from Amazon last night! I’m very excited to read it.
I bought it at the bookstore yesterday, since I wasn’t going to get through the library version on time, and it’s worth owning. The physical book without the plastic library jacket is just lovely.
It is so true that holds always come in clumps! I love that the e-book holds (the Libby app) let you put off “picking up” the book for however many days you want, it is so convenient. I often reserve a hard copy and a digital copy since I will need both the finish the book before it’s due back.
I wish we had that. Our e-book holds expire if you don’t check them out within a week.
Maybe you will get Libby eventually, I think a lot of libraries are moving to using it. If you say give me 7 more days, they just lend it to someone else and you are then next in line, so it isn’t exact but it’s close enough.
I’ll look forward to that! Sounds like a much better system.
I’ll be thinking of you and your son tomorrow…and after.
Thanks ockeghem.
I just saw your comment from yesterday, and I do think the Manos Gerakinis line is worth checking out. The website shows a few locations around Greece, including Santorini, but it’s easy to find the perfumery in Athens. There is a small perfumery in the lobby of the King George Hotel, in Syntagma Square, where there is a row of fancy hotels near the Parliament buildings. You can buy perfume and check out the changing of the guard at the same time 🙂
We’re staying right by Syntagma Square, so we’ll stop in! Thanks! 🙂
You get an enabler’s pin for Ducks! I just ordered it!
Yay! I think you’ll like it.
Today I’m in Mugler Aura, something bright green for a sunny day and a long walk (in lieu of the gym). The leaves are struggling to burst forth from the trees and bushes, but it’s been very cool out, and tomorrow it’s supposed to hit 20, so I bet we have an explosion of greenery on Monday. Fingers crossed!
I started another Ruth Rendell a couple of days ago, The Water’s Lovely: I guess I could have worn a watery scent to match it, but nah. I’d been trying to read Shock Value, a history of the horror movie in the sixties and seventies, and I just couldn’t get into it, so I figured a psychological thriller was just what I needed. I might get back into the non-fiction book later but I expect I’ll return it to the library next week: I’m way past the age where I feel I have to force myself to finish a book just because I started it.
Ditto on your last point. It used to be very rare that I didn’t finish a book I started, now it is a frequent occurrence.
I just read my first Ruth Rendell, “The Crocodile Bird” which I got for $2 in hardcover at a charity book sale. I am so excited that there are 40 some more!
Funny you mention the not finishing a book stuff. I have a friend who is a good bit younger than me who will finish a book then turn around and rate it one or two stars on Goodreads. I asked her about it and she said if she said she started it she felt like she had to finish it. I am the opposite haha- if I suspect it’s less than 3 stars, I’m moving right on. In my middle age I don’t have the energy/time to spend on a bad book (or even a book that may be good but doesn’t get my attention).
Recently finished “The Restless Northwest: A Geological Story,” which was fascinating and well written for a layperson like me. All kinds of interesting info like-
The state of Washington is comprised of 3 distinctly different land masses from distinctly different geological periods. Most experts in this field believe that Mount Rainer will be the next catastrophe and the concern is not for magma or ash, but mud flows that will reach Tacoma within an hour and completely engulf and destroy the city. Uplifting, huh? Also, Cape Disappointment, where I love to camp and right where my last contract was, is basalt that traveled about 450 miles to get where it currently rests. It traveled so far because it was a Low Viscosity Lava that moves faster than a human can walk. The stages this area went through over time is astounding! From bubbly magma rivers and pyroclastic flows, to a moist jungle like environment, to dense ice and snow coverage, and finally the retreat of glaciers and warming to the current situation. Not for everyone, but I loved this book!
Not reading, but listening to the “Cherringham” series on audible when I go to bed. Nice uncomplicated cozies that take place in the Cotswolds that feature a NYPD detective who has retired and moved from the US to live on a narrow boat, and a local single mother who runs an graphic design company. Minimal violence, no sex (although there are some vague hints of romance, it’s really more of a friendship) and debauchery, interesting characters and each story is about 3-4 hours long which is perfect for bedtime. I love the narrator! This is huge for me because even if the story line is outstanding, if I don’t like the narrator it’s a no go.
Just cracked open a book I got at campground in their library box called “The Zookeepers Wife,” which many of you have probably already read.
Reading a physical book is very fatiguing with my vision issues and I miss being able to read for hours and get lost in a book, only realize when I pop my head out of the pages it’s 4am and I need to go to bed.
No perfume yet, still waking up with my first cup of joe…🥱
I don’t know the Cherryham series, I will have to check it out.
When my father started losing his eyesight, he & my stepmother both started reviewing books for Audible. I never thought about narrators much before that, but they were both very particular about it.
Yes, for people absolutely unable to see well enough to read, Audible is a blessing! As for narration, it’s very subjective. And it’s come such a long way since the beginning of books on tape. Your parents are very likely part of the reason it’s come so far and improved the listeners experience dramatically. 👏🏼👏🏼
I love the geology of Washington! My sister has a degree in geology (and is a social worker now, go figure), and my dad has an amateur interest in the geology of the eastern side of the state…Missoula floods, and such.
Oh yes! The floods! I first ran across the Scablands when a fellow camper was boon-docking out there and I could not figure out that landscape. Enter the melting ice dam and the Missoula floods, which have left such an interesting landscape behind. I should have been something other than a nurse because this kind of stuff excites me. In my travels I ran across a retired geologist in Arkansas. We had a wonderful long distance chat. This was in early 2020 at a campground there. Anyway, he told me about a life changing event he had on the Juneau Ice Fields when he was a student. I wanted to be nosey but pretty sure he didn’t want to shout this experience across the campground! I’d love to pick your sister’s brain…😊
A few years ago during Women’s History month, our local community college featured the book’s author, Diane Ackerman, in a live evening lecture on her book. I attended, and I remember that her talk was riveting – not just the story itself but even more so the story of Antonina’s diary that gave rise to the book. Although I’ve been exploring and reading about my Polish ancestry for years and have a signed copy of the book I purchased that night, I realize I never read it, so I’m so glad you posted this as I’ve now pulled it out and put it on my ‘to read’ stack!
Oh great! I love her work but have mostly read her non-fiction. She’s a very dynamic writer so I can imagine the lecture was fabulous. The kind of author whose books I kind of dread starting because I know they will end, and I want the story to keep going and going and going….😍
Pyroclastic flows are what people in WA state were most concerned about when Mount Saint Helens blew back in 1980. Fortunately it did NOT come to that!
After a reading hiatus for many months, I am happily into reading again. Since the last reading poll I’ve read:
Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine by Gail Honeyman
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah❤️❤️❤️
and currently reading The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
The Nightingale was the best (and longest) of the bunch by far! Oh my gosh I loved this book SO much. It really hit me on an emotional level. I just cried at the end. I won’t give it away, but it’s about 2 sisters in France during WW2. They are each very different and if I had to pair with a perfume while reading I would pick Apres L’Ondee for sister Vianne and Shalimar for sister Isabelle. I get all of my books from the library but I may actually purchase a copy of this one. I love it so much I think I would re-read it over and over again. I’ve seen talk on the internet that a movie is in the works and the real life Fanning sisters will play the roles. I hope it’s good.🤞
Dreary here today and I’m in Tam Dao. Hoping for sun later.
I will try to remember The Nightingale for later…I am feeling overwhelmed with the war between the Olivia Manning and Anthony Doerr books I just read, but it is an area of interest for me.
I have read most of these books so maybe we tend to choose the same genre 😊
And you smell great!
I LOVED The Nightingale. I’ve read a couple other Kristin Hannah that I really enjoyed as well. Eleanor Oliphant was great imo as well.
I’ve gotten my reading groove back and am really enjoying books again. Some recent favorites:
1) The Candy House – Jennifer Egan
2) Weight – Jeanette Winterson
3) D – Michael Faber
My SOTD is Freeway by 4160 Tuesdays.
Sending warm wishes to everyone here.
All books I have not read, so will investigate! Thanks sistine, hope you are well.
Just got The Candy House from library!
A bit of brain fog due to getting up at 4:30am to watch Charles III’s coronation. I loved every minute, but Anne on horseback behind her brother’s carriage, in the rain with troops, was super classy IMHO. Just finished a random find from the FreeCycle shelf at our recycling center: The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel. I enjoyed it and of course it brought back a lot of memories about the 1970’s. Also on the shelf with TAWC was The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt and Doris Lessing’s The Fifth Child. A strange trio among the typical dog-eared mystery paperbacks and self-help books! There were all in good condition, too. I’ve heard a lot about Donna Tartt and I’ve admired some of Doris Lessing’s short stories so nothing ventured here if I don’t like them. SotD Aramis Calligraphy for its having several notes possible in the coronation oil, cinnamon, rose and amber.
Glad you enjoyed the coronation!
I read The Fifth Child eons ago and darned if I can remember a thing about it, tell us later if it was good.
Will do. And you and your son and family will be in my prayers and thoughts for tomorrow.
Thanks MossyBerry.
The Goldfinch was not exactly what I expected, and I still think of some of the characters even tho I read it quite a while ago. Some books have one line that just sticks with me . For this book, the line is, “Why would I want to stop?” Pretty intense.
Same here with The Goldfinch. I did like it, but it also had a bit of that issue that I have with the two Lauren Groff books I’ve read: These people could not actually exist in reality (I’m thinking especially of Fates and Furies, but also The Matrix). Goldfinch was a bit more nuanced and believable, though.
Yeah, but no real person I ever encountered would do any number of the things the characters in the book did!
I read the Goldfinch a long time ago, but can’t say it was a favorite of mine.
Robin, I’m so happy to hear you liked the Commissario Ricciardi series by Maurizio de Giovanni! I’m assuming you did, since you read them all. His other series is pretty good too.
Oh yes, it is quirky and comforting at the same time. Great series. Have not tried the other series yet, but might when I am done with these.
The Spring Reading Poll! One of my favorite days. I will spare you the dreck that I read and list the ones I thought were interesting. I read everything by Henry Marsh, a British neurosurgeon (Do No Harm, Admissions, And Finally). He deeply considers the nature of consciousness, responsibility, and uncertainty in light of his cases but the writing is never dry or dull. I read The Light Pirate, by Lily Brooks-Dalton. Climate change has caused Florida to become uninhabitable so most people leave. The book is about the ones that remain. I liked it, the characters were interesting and the premise not far off from real life. I read A Dangerous Business by Jane Smiley, she always writes interesting books. I read Pat in the City, Pat Fields’ book about designing clothes and getting famous by doing Sex and the City. For fantasy fun, I read The Wizard’s Butler, by Nathan Lowell, and I am midway through Jodi Taylor’s Chronicles of St. Mary’s series. Also-rans were Maame, We All Want Impossible Things, All the Beauty in the World, and Your Table is Ready: Confessions of a NY Maitre’D. I read the also-rans because they generally got good press reviews but I was not terribly impressed. You might feel differently!
I’d scent Pat Fields with something from CdG, maybe Stephen Jones, for her quirky fashions, but I’m wearing Chanel Gardenia today for the Kentucky Derby and the Coronation. Smelling like a well-bred woman.
Neurology depresses me to the nth degree. It’s an area of medicine I have consciously stayed away from as much as possible. So much suffering. Just had a patient, was still getting worked up when I had him, with what neuro is thinking is a variant of Guillain-Barré. Only 47 and in otherwise good health, and now can’t walk and lost functionality of arms and hands. No respiratory issues at that point, but my god! It’s just horrific to see these poor people suffer. And he was so brave, always staying positive, saying please and thank you. Ugh, enough to make me just start bawling my eyes out. I don’t think I could read those neuro books, even though I’m sure they’re fabulous…
I was diagnosed with MS when I was 28 but for a time they thought it might be Guillain-Barre. I have been so freaking lucky, most of my symptoms have been sensory over the years and I chose a career I could do sitting down, and then prayed for no cognitive involvement. So far, so good. But visits to the neurologist’s office are always sobering, especially in the waiting room seeing others who are much worse off than me.
foxbins, I’m so happy you are not having cognitive decline. 💜💜💜
I hope your luck always continues, in perpetuity!
The Jane Smiley is on my hold list and I will get it in a week or so. I always liked her too.
Just wanted to add, I’m very grateful for the author recommendation. 💜
Jane Smiley has written some books I really like. I will look for this one.
MS is common in the area where I am from, I know quite a few people, including some cousins and a niece, who have it. Glad to read you have been able to manage your symptoms successfully!
Is MS thought to have a regional or environmental component? I had never heard that before.
The front range of the Rockies has pockets where the rate of MS is much higher than average, for no apparent reason.
I remember hearing about this when I attended Colorado State University.
Goodness, that sounds frightening or unnerving. I am also glad you’re doing so well now. Your reading is way ahead of mine…. I have no excuse except that I watch too many K-dramas on Netflix late at night…..
Two of the boyfriends I had in high school have developed it. I used to worry about it, but now, whatever happens, happens. I am a fan of modern medicine. I should be dead from anaphylaxis a long time ago, but I got an epinephrine shot just in time. So every year and every day for me is a blessing.,,
I have MS too, but was diagnosed almost 40 years ago. It is prominent in my part of the country too. I am fortunate to have what they call benign MS so my symptoms just include some tingling in my legs. I am so happy it hasn’t progressed over the years. Happy your symptoms aren’t too bad either. Take care.
My hat is off to those NSTers who have, and are successfully managing their MS. I have a friend who has it. I would never had known about it, except for him telling me.
Thankful that you all have mild symptoms and slow progression.
I was in Floris Stephanotis, very much a heritage scent, and tonight it’s SJP Dawn, a recent purchase after having tried and loved it from a sample years ago. It’s as nice as I remembered and my second celebrity perfume, the other one is Eau de Gaga. I have finished The Nick Adams Stories recently and greatly enjoyed them.
The Coronation came and went, we enjoyed it along with a very British weather which in fact suited the occasion.
Robin, you will be very much in my thoughts tomorrow.
Thank you Aurora! Luckily (or unluckily, how do I know what would be best?) I am still 95% numb. Our town had their annual 5k/10k run this morning and someone who used to work with my husband did a quick talk & moment of silence for my husband, my son & I biked over in sunshine to be there, it was very moving for my son.
And gosh, have probably not read the Nick Adams since college? I don’t know why I rarely re-read Hemingway.
You’re all such prolific readers,I’m starting to feel guilty for my neglect!”Spare” has been sitting on my nightstand untouched,and I’m yet to even turn a page of Neil Chapman’s book on perfume.
SOTD!
Dirty.It seems we’re having a hot-hot fall season as I am still in shorts and flip-flops most days.
Happy reading to all of you.
Robin,you are in my thoughts this weekend.🌹❣️🤗
Watched the “best of” parts of the coronation.Poor Camilla seemed unsettled at it all,but I do have a lot of respect for the dignity shown by Charles and Camilla.That tiara that Kate wore though!!(or is it a diadem?not sure.)
I read that Kate’s tiara was made by McQueen and it is a floral headband woven with silver among other materials, but no gems. Her daughter Charlotte had a coordinated one. I agree, they were both beautiful and striking–and an interesting alternative to crowns filled with gems of dubious or controversial origins.
Oh wow Neil Chapman has written a book..??!!!
Thanks for mentioning 😊
If you do find the time to read it could you let us know what you think about it? 😊
Oh yes,Neil’s book came out I think around 2019/2020 already,so it’s been around a while!Will update once I started!
Reading is not a moral imperative, why feel guilty? The rest of us should be feeling guilty for sitting around reading, probably 😉
And thank you.
Haha!
Okay so CONFESSION time…
My eyesight started to decline around 2 years ago(I’m turning 47 in June),and ever since then I’ve been in denial about it.I have a pair of reading glasses but I’m not ready to accept the inevitable “I’m getting old” signs of declining mobility,aches and pains in the AM,cannot READ finer print anymore….I need a mental shift,I know that.✌🏻🤗
My husband was much older than you but the same…would not accept that he could no longer see or hear as well as he used to 🙂
I need glasses starting in graduate school, so I’m used to it.
I hope your day was a good one of love and remembrance!🌹🌹
I’ll put in my usual plug for audio books. Listening is not the same as reading, but it is still pretty great. And for some books I firmly believe it is better.
I still have Spare sitting on my shelf, but I am going to get to it 😊
Seeing Harry at the coronation all seperate from the main family most of the time makes me want to pick it up as well.Now where are those reading glasses…😱🤣🤣
I managed to catch a “Best Of” Coronation summary on BBC America. When Camilla was crowned, I thought that she was going to start giggling nervously…
I am reading a lot of non-fiction lately.
King Leopold’s ghost, by Adam Hochschild
Havent finished it yet, because the subject matter does not make for a quick and easy read but so far I think its a very good book if you want to know more about how Congo Free State was exploited and the horrible things that happened there.
Would not prefer to have any perfume associated with these atrocities though.
If you need a book that only brings joy and delight I would recommend
Year of wonder
By Clemency Burton-Hill
Quote from the publisher because I am lazy today (sorry)
“Clemency chooses one piece of music for each day of the year, with a short explanation about the composer to put it into context, and brings the music alive in a modern and playful way, while also extolling the positive mindfulness element of giving yourself some time every day to listen to something uplifting or beautiful.”
NST community can probably match a few perfumes with every piece she mentions. 😊
“Year of Wonder” sounds great! I just put it on my holds list. Thanks!
Read the book on the Congo decades ago when it came out—it connected many dots for me!
I always meant to read King Leopold’s Ghost but couldn’t face it. I am glad you and Oakland Fresca both read it. It must be hard going. I used to be a teaching asst for a class on colonial Africa so I know the gist but time has blurred the details.
I don’t think I could read King Leopold’s Ghost at all. I know bits and pieces about what happened, and that is horrifying enough.
Wearing a sample of Larmos du Desert, which is the smudged wrong name of a sample. I’ve been going to Sampleland all week, because Robin always disappoints Donatella by wearing samples and few purchases. I’ll disappoint her just ONE week with you, Robin!😂
Tomorrow, I’m using my sticky dates soap and shower gel. I have Lush samples and I really want to be there for you in spirit, Robin. It might be silly, but after my prayers, silly is all I’ve got.
God Bless and best of luck tomorrow.
Oh, I will take silly!!
That’s a good thing! 💜
Marmoset du Desert ha! And ha again, I typed what you have written and y exceedingly stupid but creative spellcheck fixed it! Maybe a new Zoologist scent possibility!
Thank you! I had tried to read the label. It is nice. Spell check makes things worse, if possible, for me.😂
No worries, I think it is Tauer’s L’Aire du Desert Morocain, isn’t it?
“Marmoset du Desert” had me scratching my head until I scrolled up a bit on this thread.
My spellchecker seems to be particularly creative and stupid at the same time! LOL.
Didn’t mean to hijack! Sorry.
I have just bought The myth of normal by Gabor Mate. Looks fascinating.
So many great recommendations here.
Robin, tomorrow I will send you a prayer by the sea.
I have seen a couple interviews with him and really enjoyed them. That book is going on my list, thank you! 😊
Thank you so much Gabriela!
Wearing Burberry Her Elixir.
I am mostly into podcasts lately b/c I listen as I walk and I carve out lots of time for walking mostly to stay sane. 😉 Listened to following in the last couple months and would recommend:
The Coldest Case in Laramie
S-Town
Bible John: Creation of a Serial Killer
Sending love and strength to you and your family, Robin.♥️
Given your list, you probably have already been there and done that–but on the remote chance you have not, Bone Valley (and at the risk of a terrible rhyme) is right up your alley.
Thank you, OF! I had not heard of it but am following it now and will work it into my rotation. 😉 Thank you for the recommendation.
Thank you She-ra!
I mostly listen to podcasts in the car so don’t make a big dent until I start doing summer vacations. Have heard your first 2 but not the 3rd, will check it out.
Was on an audiobook tangent of true crime/cult/abusive religious sects books–not single one worth mentioning. Am now listening to Nona the Ninth by New Zealand author Tamsyn Muir. The narrator–Moira Quirk–is absolutely fabulous, which helped me slog through the second in the series–it is a little stream of conscious-y (Nona is the third. Last? No idea.) I loved listening to Gideon the Ninth, the first book. If you like genre-defying goth/sifi/fantasy/mystery—Muir’s writing is a wild ride. And I am still force-feeding myself EVP’s Scent: A Natural History of Fragrance–which is so badly written that I can only stand a few pages at a time (and no, I am not able to leave a book unfinished). Before Scent, I read Ann Patchett’s State of Wonder, also another hard no for me (and yet, I haaaaad to finish it).
In other news, a small flock of very large Eurasian Doves have moved into our little animal village outback. They dwarf the Mourning Doves, giving the Steller’s Jays a run for their money. I tried to find a picture that shows how huge these birds are–couldn’t, but here’s one pic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Eurasian_collared_dove_found_in_Northern_California.jpg They look so outsized, almost comical as branches dip and sway under their weight.
As for perfume, I’m in Prive from OJ–a sample I got in the recent swap.
Hope everyone has an excellent weekend, and those facing incredible challenges–wishing you strength and peace.
We have band-tailed pigeons around our house. They are huge! And they sound like owls. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Band-tailed_Pigeon
I think pfsh mentioned that series recently as well.
I’m re-reading the Inhibitors series by Alistair Reynolds, science fiction is my usual preference. I’ve come across a fourth book set in the same universe, and as always need to read the first three again. I can’t think of anything appropriate perfume-wise.
Post-shower (I’ve cleaned the bathroom, but not myself yet), I’ll wear Bourrasque from Le Galion, another of my new purchases. It’s a light amber to my nose.
My son used to be a sci-fi nut. He is currently going through a not-reading period but would imagine he’ll get back to it some day.
Today I am wearing Wicked Good by Gallagher. This is one of the few perfumes that doesn’t stick to my skin.
I’m sorry I do not have any book recommendations.
Robin, I have been thinking about you everyday. I will say a prayer for you and your family tomorrow.
Thank you so much lillyjo.
Book club is discussing Clint Smith’ How the Word is Passed this coming week. So much to say on this one. Read it. It’s important.
Recently enjoyed Go as a River by Shelly Read, first novel by her. Such feelings with this book and one that has stayed with me. Makes me want to go work on a fruit orchard.
Also just started Mark Bittman’s Animal, Vegetable, Junk. Interesting but a bit dry.
Did some sniffing today at Saks. Really loved the new Guerlain Harvest scents, especially Neroli Vetiver. Honey is delicious in this one.
I did not know about the Mark Bittman book, will look for it even if it’s dry. I really love his NYT cookbook.
Recently read and loved Anuradha Roy, The Earth Spinner. About a potter and so much more. All her books are so elegantly written and tell intense stories combine the “small” personal with big cultural issues. Also loved The Folded Earth. And the Atlas of Impossible Longing.
Yoko Tawada, Scattered All Over the Earth – a very naturalistic dystopian future where Japan has disappeared. It is also very much about emigration, language, and linguistics.
And, very late to the party, I just cruised through the first two in Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series.
Love Jasper Fforde! Now if he would only write a sequel to Shades of Grey… (which he must hear a lot, since he needles himself about it in the last of the Last Dragonslayer book.)
Several of these sound interesting. I appreciate everyone sharing!
Let’s see, what good stuff have I read lately? (I will skip listing the stuff I should have skipped reading.) Currently reading The Dying Day, the second book in The Malabar House mystery series by Vaseem Khan. They are set in the 1950s in Bombay, and the main character is a woman who is the first female police detective in India. Also read The Last Palace by Norman Eisen, about the building which is currently the US Ambassador’s residence in Prague, and its history. Interesting. Read John Scalzi’s Agent to the Stars; fun. And I’m trying to teach myself a little Greek in preparation for a trip there this summer.
I’m really interested in the mystery series set in Bombay with a female detective–it sounds terrific, thank you! I will definitely check that out. It’s wonderful you’ll be going to Greece. It’s so beautiful! Even though it’s an already well-known, the islands are amazing. Delphi is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. I’m sure you will love it!
SOTD = NEZ Ambre a Levres
🥰 I really ought to wear it more often. That said, I only have the travel spray and I will not hoard.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr6eZ3jOzam/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
I’ve read several books on my Kindle, one of them being A Rogue’s Company: A Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery by Allison Montclair. I am quite sure I got the recommendation from foxbin for this author / series from one of the reading polls.
Robin, I am thinking of you and your son as you navigate through the memorial tomorrow.
Sparks and Bainbridge #5, The Lady From Burma, is being released July 25, 2023.
🙏
Thank you hajusuuri. It is later this afternoon so if I don’t appear tomorrow morning, I’m all wrung out.
Wear the Good Perfumes! Don’t let them turn or evaporate!
Robin, sending you and your son thoughts of strength for tomorrow. Plenty of hugs too.
Thank you so much Jalapeno, we need it all!
Robin, I hope that you and your son are held in the love surrounding you, tomorrow and in the days ahead.
Thank you allo.
Robin, I am keeping you and your son in my thoughts and prayers. Sending peace, love and strength for tomorrow.
Thanks pl67.
Robin, it’s Sunday now where you are. I am thinking of you and your son and hoping that the service for your husband was beautiful and funny and sad and very, very comforting to you.
It is not for a few more hours, but I am already ready to laugh. My husband was a very funny man and I know people will have good stories to tell.
The funny stories told at the celebration services for my folks were an unexpected blessing for me and my sisters. Mom was a nurse, and her nurse buddies gave us a scrapbook of stories of some of her escapades. I hope and believe you will have some smiles today. Many hugs to you and your son, Robin!
Sunday morning wishes for a peaceful and as comforting day as possible.
Big hugs. Bugger than big hugs.
💜
Thank you AnniePerfumes! All hugs gratefully accepted.
Sending all my very best thoughts out to you and your family today, Robin. May it be a day filled with light along with the sadness.
Thanks spiderplant, I know it will be.
Robin, you and your son will be in my thoughts and prayers today, wishing you both strength and courage as you move through this day. May the love that surrounds you bring you comfort.
I am an only child and I lost both my parents at a young age, both suddenly after very brief illnesses. When I was 14 my dad passed at the age of 41; when I was 25, my mom passed at the age of 58. Although I was already a young adult then, I clearly remember that for the longest time as I walked home from the train after work, I kept thinking ‘I’m an orphan!’ But there was a lot of love surrounding me, too, and I made it through that difficult time ok. Your son will, too, as long as love surrounds him. ❤️☮️
Wow, that must have been so hard Laila. I am lucky that I did not lose my dad until my 50s and I still have my mom. But of course my son is now very scared to lose me so he is staying close and getting worried about any little thing. It’s natural but I hope does not last too long, for his sake.
Thank you.
It’s natural, yes, I think especially when there’s only two of you, to cling tightly to each other, but it also offers emotional support in the healing process. I think what’s most important, again, when there are just the two of you, is to not expect the other to provide for you what your loved one did. The most difficult part of my relationship with my mom after my dad’s death was that I was a young teen trying to grow up and be free while my mom, as the daughter of poor immigrants who’d never gone to high school and hadn’t worked in many years, wanted me to provide for her the security my dad did for years. Of course, I didn’t understand any of this til years later, but we still did have a close, loving relationship despite that.
Wishing you and your son all the best as you love and comfort each other. And I think expressing your fears and emotions is also necessary to the healing process.
Thinking of you and your son today Robin. Hope all goes well and you can find some comfort from family and friends.
As far as books, I am going to pass this time. As most of you know, I read constantly, but haven’t read anything that has been wonderful to share. Maybe next time.
I think I will wear Fox In The Flowerbed today.
Thank you Kris.
Robin, you are especially in my thoughts today. Sending you a hug and some virtual comfort.
My reading slowed down a bit after a very fast-paced January, but I still got some good ones under my belt since our last reading poll. After the Calvin and Hobbes collection I was reading during that poll, I moved on to The World Cannot Give by Tara Isabella Burton, which was quite good but serious and intense. It takes place in a private school and centers around a new student and the strange choir group that she becomes a part of. I’m a sucker for dark academia or really the whole new-student-trying-to-find-their-place trope.
I wanted something less serious, so I moved on to The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix, whose My Best Friend’s Exorcism, I found to be a lot of fun a few years ago. I didn’t think TFGSG was nearly as successful, but it was an easy read at least. Next, I read the bleak and depressing Hawk Mountain by Conner Habib. It was beautifully written but really, really dark. I needed a palate cleanser again so I turned to The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi. It was a delight! If you enjoy contemporary comedic sci-fi or even light sci-fi adjacent books or if you think Godzilla movies are a lot of fun, give this little book a try. I found myself smiling a lot while reading it, which is always a good sign. I’ve seen Scalzi’s books around for a while but never investigated further. I’ll definitely give him another read.
And now, having just recently finished The River by Peter Heller, I’m halfway through his next one The Guide. These two are both literary thrillers set in nature, and especially The River had a lot of beautiful prose and had great poignancy. I’d bought both of these last fall at a secondhand bookstore, so when I wasn’t sure what to read next and read the description of The Guide, I was happy to see that it continues the story of one of the characters from The River without being a true sequel. It was an easy choice to read it next since I’d become accustomed to his style of writing and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to this particular character yet. So I defintely recommend The River and if The Guide finishes strong, then I’ll recommend it too.
“The Kaiju Preservation Society” sounds right up my alley! That might be what I need to get back into reading books…
I get almost all my reading material from this poll! 😊 It’s so fantastic, and thanks to everyone who contributes.
I’ve been neglecting my reading lately, but still keeping up with the mysteries. I recently devoured Ella Griffiths’ latest, “The Locked Room.” Kept me up too late, as usual.
A friend recommended “The Plot” by Jean Hanff Korelitz. It was quite the page-turner, although I found that the characterizations were a bit thin.
My favorite of the last few months was “Vigil Harbor.” She’s one of my favorite authors, and I was lucky enough to attend an in-person reading! It’s set in a fictionalized version of the town where she lives and is set in the near future, where the climate crisis continues to take a heavy toll. She is a master of characterization. I still think about them, just going about my daily life. To me, that’s a mark of an excellent writer.
Next up on the read-aloud list: “Alas, Babylon” by Pat Frank. It’s been out for decades; I read it in the 70’s, but it stands the test of time. I think it’s on a par with “The Outsiders,” in that kids read it in school, but it’s still good to go back to.
(My read-aloud list is for driving, which I hate. So Mr.E drives and I read. Woks for us.)
Robin, I have been thinking of you so often, and I might be too late with these wishes, but I hope the ceremony is a balm for you and your son. Wearing De Profundis for you, which I find to be a beautiful and uplifting scent, in spite of any associations. 💕
I get all my ideas for *contemporary* books from NST! Otherwise, I’d just keep re-reading the old favorites.
Haha, I’d probably be doing the same.
My reading has picked up just a bit from last fall. I read Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan, chick lit that was seriously funny. I picked it up to read during the first couple of rocky days after I got my gall bladder out, and it was the perfect easy read. Fragrance pairing: any fruity floral that you think is classy. I’m thinking Nina Ricci Deci Dela.
Cooking for Picasso, by Camille Aubray, was pretty good. It’s a mystery/multigenerational story/romance that was worth the time I spent on it. Fragrance pairing: Nicolai Haute Provence.
Just started This is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You, by Susan Rogers and Ogi Ogas. I’m nerding out over this book. If you’re a music fan and obsessively listened to records as a kid like I did, and tried to figure out why you liked or disliked a song or artist or genre, this will enlighten you. Drawing a blank on a fragrance pairing…
I’m in Orange Sanguine today. It always works. ❤️
That ‘Music’ book sounds fascinating, will definitely have to check that one out. Thank you!🎶
I will second what Laila said. I was intrigued enough by the title of the “Music….” book to check out the description on Amazon.
Bookwise, I’ve been reading mostly non-fiction lately, as I pursue hobbies of genealogy and learning more about WWII that my dad fought in. Adam Zamoyski’s ‘Poland A History’ gives a great overview with plenty of maps to help one visually understand the country’s boundary changes through the centuries. Jan Karski’s ‘Story of a Secret State’ tells the story of the Polish Underground during WWII. My late neighbor was a Polish immigrant who fought in WWII as a member of the Polish Underground, was captured by the Nazi’s, and was a POW until he was liberated by the British; this book is a wonderful background to the stories he told. Lastly, for those of you ecologically-minded, I just finished ‘A Sand County Almanac’ by Aldo Leopold for our book discussion Wednesday. Although written more than 50 years ago, it is remarkably prescient and extremely thought-provoking, given the state of our earth today; I highly recommend👍. Fragrance to wear? For anything WWII, L’Air du Temps; for Sand County, anything green, my favorite, Balmain Vent Vert.
I was surrounded by books, CD’s and DVD’s yesterday as I worked our library’s book sale. Just relaxing today after a busy week, wearing one of my favorite scents, probably the first adult fragrance I purchased, Nina Ricci Bigarade from 1971. I didn’t know anything about fragrances at that time, just that I immediately fell in love with what was billed as the ‘sexy daytime French scent.’ Later I learned it was the bitter orange and oakmoss notes I loved. Luckily I purchased a good supply from eBay a number of years ago so I can still enjoy it!
Hoping today is going easier than was thought, Robin.
I just saw I wrote Bug hugs earlier. I hope they didn’t do that!
lillyjo, if you are reading, have you tried Gabrielle?
Off for a walk while my scary neighbor’s son had his brother over. Escape!
I think bug hugs is cute! My daughter and I do bun hugs for bunny’s lol.
I have tried Gabrielle. The original and Essence. They are both nice.
Cute bun hugs!
What’s your final take on Gabrielle? Just curious if it ended up being a love or FBW. 😉
It’s on my Chanel to buy list, along with sooo many others lol.
No books recs from me, but I might be able to give someone a paint color recommendation, ha! The caveat with that is I would have to see the space, though.
SOTD = Patchouli Nobile by Nobile 1942. It joined my Sample Stash courtesy of someone here. It’s the perfect pick for today.
I did think my sample/decant of Cuir de Lancome yesterday.
You smell wonderful!
Thank you! Patchouli Nobile has been very calming for me.
Does your sample stash look any smaller after all these thanks?
I’m going to order decant vials on Friday and will send you more for the pile. Lol.
Nope. The Sample Stash seems to regenerate with a speed and vitality that would impress Wolverine!
And I should have typed “thunk” up there, not “think”!
I’ll send her a package, as well.☺
I’ve been thinking of you today Robin, and your son, and I hope the service was helpful to you both. More big hugs.
I’m wearing BDK’s Tabac Rose, courtesy of Hajusuuri from some time ago, and enjoying it! I’ve been rearranging my perfume samples, decants, and travel sprays/minis this weekend. I have SO MANY. But I managed to thunk two samples yesterday, Shalimar parfum pre-bath and Spiritueuse Double Vanille post-bath. Both excellent. That SDV is definitely vanilla, and not much else to my nose!
For reading, I’ve started a ton of books lately and haven’t gotten very far with any of them yet. They include Beaverland, by Leila Philip, about how beavers have shaped the land and history of North America; Keep the Aspidistra Flying by George Orwell (great writing if you can withstand the snobbishness); The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett (I devoured her first book so have high hopes for this one); and The Godwulf Manuscript, by Robert B. Parker (this is the first of his Spenser books (anyone remember Spenser for Hire?), and very 1970s; not sure if I like it yet).
It’s so warm here today I’m in capri pants and a t-shirt. Gonna go for a walk in a bit with a friend and then have dinner together. Wish I didn’t have to go back to work tomorrow!
Crazy warm here today, too. It got up to 76! My long sleeved shirt was a bit much… 🥵
“My Love Affair with Jewelry” by Elizabeth Taylor. White Diamonds, of course!
So glad to see the Reading Poll still coming up seasonally — I love to keep up with what you’re reading. Those Olivia Manning novels are literally the oldest / earliest books on my Goodreads “What to Read” shelf, added 2012, and I wonder if I will ever get to them. I have electronic and Audible copies of the Balkan trilogy and have started (and enjoyed) “The Great Fortune” twice, and have the Levant trilogy novels in paperback *somewhere*. (Almost all the books in my apartment are somewhere at this point.) Very glad to hear you enjoyed The Book of Goose, as well, as I’ve picked that up in the bookstore a few times and read the back blurbs and thought I should pick it up — done! Twist my rubber arm…
I am reading — very slowly — the Best American Science and Nature Writing 2022 (as I read that collection every year) as well as listening to the very, very long but enjoyable life of Jimmy Carter by Jonathan Alter. Moving at a greater clip is “Breathless”, David Quammen’s book on the development of the COVID vaccines; I love Quammen, one of my fave living writers. Get very little fiction read these days — I tend to re-read Graham Greene, Elmore Leonard and old short story collections by treasured writers from previous years — but have done some memoirs and personal essay collections that have been memorable, like (finally) all of “Barbarian Days” by William Finnegan before I went to Hawaii and Jon Mooallem’s “Serious Face”. Also just finished Rachel Aviv’s “Strangers to Ourselves”, which I think you might really enjoy.
I love Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca when I read it 20+ years ago, but it didn’t occur to me until recently that I might like some of her other books. I just finished The Scapegoat, which I quite liked. And it had a smallish plot point involving perfume, so bonus point for that. I also read The Perfume Collector, which was ok story-wise, but had some interesting fictionalized perfume history that I enjoyed. And I just started reading The Ghost Perfumer after sitting across from the author during lunch at the Sniffa event a couple weekends ago.
For non-perfume books, I’ve recently finished and would recommend: Mrs. Wickham (light reading, probably deserved skewering of Lizzy Bennet); The Count of Monte Cristo; and The God of Small Things.