Susan Used to Live on Reader Lane

[Leni]

How is The Marriage Portrait? I have that and Demon Copperhead left to read from the Women's Prize shortlist. Weirdly I have never read anything by either author.

[Susan]

Ann A wrote: "...Why yes, I have, no need to get all shouty ;)

Hahaha! If I ate nothing but junk food, I'd be too sleepy to read ;)
Good luck with the 2nd half of the RAT."

Lol. Yes, that’s me, too. Thanks! Hope it went well for you, too

[Susan]

Susan wrote: "I hope the readathon is going well, Susan! What do you think of The Marriage Portrait? It's on my TBR & I've always enjoyed Maggie O'Farrell's writing."

Yes, it did! Thanks, Susan. I’ve had a hard time getting into “The Marriage Portrait,” but am hoping the story will pick up now that she’s laid the groundwork. Will see how today’s reading goes ;).

[Susan]

Cynda Reads Mighty Slow these days wrote: "Yes what did you make if the Marriage Portrait? I am hoping ti read Maggie O'Farrell's books sooner than later. . . . . .If you are awake, stop by Hour 24 for a sprint."

I really loved Hamnet, but have had a hard time getting into The Marriage Portrait. I’m hoping as the story goes on, the various threads will start to come together more. Hope you’ve been enjoying your reading. Will stop by your thread for a full report ;)

[Susan]

Susy wrote: "Susan wrote: "Half-Point Progress Report

How many books have you been reading? Have you finished any?
I’m reading four books:
—The Marriage Portrait, by Maggie O’Farrell (fiction)
—A Place in the..."

I did have a good Readathon! Hope you did, too!

[Susan]

Leni wrote: "How is The Marriage Portrait? I have that and Demon Copperhead left to read from the Women's Prize shortlist. Weirdly I have never read anything by either author."

So far, The Marriage Portrait has been a bit of a disappointment, but maybe it just has a slow start. That’s what I’m hoping ;). I’m still reading anyhow.

[Susy]

Hope you had a wonderful readathon Susan!
See you in August!

[Susan]

Closing Survey

How many books did you read during this readathon? Did you have any favorites?

I read in five books. Much to my surprise, my favorite was “Great Masters: Stravinsky — His Life and Work” by Robert Greenberg, which is an audiobook. Robert Greenberg’s audiobooks about the lives and works of classical musicians are usually entertaining and filled with snippets of wonderful music, but I didn’t expect to like Stravinsky’s music so much. My second favorite was Frances Mayes’ book of essays about the idea of home: A Place in the World. Much to my surprise, it wasn’t set in Tuscany as I expected, but in North Carolina!

How many books did you finish?

Two
—Great Masters — Stravinsky by Robert Greenberg
—Late in the Day by Ursula Le Guin

Did you accomplish your goals for this readathon?

I read fewer hours than I planned and did less visiting, but I still had a pretty good time.

How did your snacks and meals work out? Are there things you would change about the food and beverages side of your readathon for next time?

Meals and snacks were good. Rice krispy treats are becoming a Readathon staple ;)

Did you enjoy this readathon? What was the most successful part of your readathon? What would you change for next time?

Another good Readathon, even if maybe the most successful part was the sleeping and napping I did. Just kidding — of course, it was having a whole day to read and the luxurious feeling of being able to just focus on reading.

What Dewey’s social media sites did you visit during this readathon? What activities did you participate in? Do you plan to complete those activities over the remainder of the weekend?

I primarily visited Goodreads, but did see some Dewey’s posts on Facebook and also checked out the Dewey’s blog posts. I want to find the Discord site today for future reference.

I didn’t participate in anything except reading. I always like to see the moderated discussions and will probably take a look at those today.

[Susan]

What I read:

Great Masters: Stravinsky, Robert Greenberg (audiobook) —Finished (3 1/2 hours = 70 pages)
—Late in the Day, Ursula Le Guin (104 pages)
—“A Reverie”, intro & short story from Life in the Country, Giovanni Verga (16 pages)
—The Marriage Portrait, Maggie O’Farrell (114 pages)
—A Place in the World, Frances Mayes (58 pages)

Total = 362 pages

[Vicki Willis]

Great job with the reading.

I always forget to do the surveys - where are they even posted?

[Ann A]

Glad you had a good day, Susan! I'm going to check out the Great Masters series. It sounds right up my alley.

[Susan]

Vicki Willis wrote: "Great job with the reading.

I always forget to do the surveys - where are they even posted?"

The surveys might be posted somewhere on GR, but I got it from the Dewey’s blog. They’re not posting as much as they used to, but they still post the surveys. See you next time!

[Susan]

Ann A wrote: "Glad you had a good day, Susan! I'm going to check out the Great Masters series. It sounds right up my alley."

Thanks, Ann! I really enjoy Robert Greenberg — some folks find him a bit much, but I enjoy his enthusiasm and light touch, even the bad puns ;)

[Susan]

Susy wrote: "Hope you had a wonderful readathon Susan!
See you in August!"

Definitely! See you in Reverse!

[Cynda]

i have read one or two books of Frances Mays. I am definitely remembering Under the Tuscan Sun which was a different book from the movie. Both good, both worth doing. . . . . .How did you enjoy/are you enjoying A Place in the World?

See you next readathon!

[Susan]

Cynda Reads Mighty Slow these days wrote: "i have read one or two books of Frances Mays. I am definitely remembering Under the Tuscan Sun which was a different book from the movie. Both good, both worth doing. . . . . .How did you enjoy/are..."

Cynda, I read “Under the Tuscan Sun” and saw the movie, too. I enjoyed them both so when a friend recommended “A Place in the World” I got on the list for it at the library, and I’m enjoying Mayes’ thoughts on her various homes and other topics like her Southern accent. I was surprised to learn she and her husband are now living in North Carolina as well as Tuscany!

[Elyse]

Vicki Willis wrote: "Great job with the reading.

I always forget to do the surveys - where are they even posted?"

Vicki, they're only posted on the Wordpress blog. The mid-event one was an hourly discussion and not posted on the blog, usually it's also posted on the blog.

[Elyse]

Susan wrote: "What I read:

Great Masters: Stravinsky, Robert Greenberg (audiobook) —Finished (3 1/2 hours = 70 pages)
—Late in the Day, Ursula Le Guin (104 pages)
—“A Reverie”, intro & short story from Life in ..."

I have heard that The Marriage Portrait can suffer from wrong time reading. Someone I follow on Instagram and Youtube tried to read it a couple of months again and DNF'd it. Once it was on the Women's Prize for Fiction Lists, she tried it again and gave it 5 stars.

[Susan]

Elyse wrote: "I have heard that The Marriage Portrait can suffer from wrong time reading. Someone I follow on Instagram and Youtube tried to read it a couple of months again and DNF'd it. Once it was on the Women's Prize for Fiction Lists, she tried it again and gave it 5 stars.”

That could be. I’ve read glowing reviews from a number of folks, and I’m hoping that the story will start “clicking” for me now that the groundwork is laid and as I keep reading.

But one thing what’s niggling at me is issues of believability of details — to give an example from another book — a beautiful chestnut tree was grown in the middle of the prairie from seeds brought from the East by a farmer. It’s the only tree for miles around. Okay, so far. But then, there’s a reference to many squirrels living in the walls of the nearby farmhouse. That stumped me ;). I kept wondering “How did the squirrels get there with only one tree for miles and miles around?” Maybe it comes from my reading too many murder mysteries ;), but repeated inconsistencies in those kind of details can take me right out of the story. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get back into the book — fingers crossed.

[Susan]

I see the Reverse Readathon will be July 21! See you all then!

[Susy]

Yay, see you then!

[Elyse]

Susan wrote: "Elyse wrote: "I have heard that The Marriage Portrait can suffer from wrong time reading. Someone I follow on Instagram and Youtube tried to read it a couple of months again and DNF'd it. Once it w..."

Ahhh I see what you mean!

[Susan]

Wow, the days are zipping by, and it’s almost time for the Reverse Readathon! I’m looking forward to a day of reading with everyone

Since I’m still having a good time dreaming up a theme for the reverse Readathon, this time I’m going to be reading at an imaginary Italian villa in the hills outside Florence ;) with some atmospheric music (Verdi, Puccini), a book or two set in Italy or by an Italian author, and some Italian food and coffee. Now to plan my reading — I guess I can pack as many books as I want since my luggage will be imaginary, too….

[Elyse]

Oh Susan, the sounds divine! Can't wait to see what books you choose! Maybe One Italian Summer? Or Under the Tuscan Sun?

[Cynda]

What a good idea Susan! Place or Time or some other theme. . . Mind if I borrow this idea for reading map as challenge for the last RAD this year? My younger techie brother moved back to home. Maybe soon I can ask him, see if he will help. That okay?

[Susan]

Elyse wrote: "Oh Susan, the sounds divine! Can't wait to see what books you choose! Maybe One Italian Summer? Or Under the Tuscan Sun?"

It is fun thinking about what to read. I’ve already read Under the Tuscan Sun (and seen the movie) but will check out One Italian Summer. I’m hearing good things about Natalia Ginzburg, and the library has a nice selection of choices including a WWII novel, All Our Yesterdays

[Susan]

Cynda wrote: "What a good idea Susan! Place or Time or some other theme. . . Mind if I borrow this idea for reading map as challenge for the last RAD this year? My younger techie brother moved back to home. Mayb..."

Help yourself, Cynda! The more the merrier ;)

[Susan]

Here’s my way-too-long list of reading options which I’ll whittle down before the Readathon.

*Ebooks From the Library*
Possibilities —
The Little Virtues, Natalia Ginzburg (essays)
All Our Yesterdays, Natalia Ginzburg (novel set during WWII)
One Italian Summer, Rebecca Searle (fiction—on waiting list)

*Audiobooks*
The Last Cuentista, Barba Higuera (library)
Hayden: His Life and Music, Robert Greenberg (Audible library)

*Books*
Beautiful Ruins, Jess Walter (novel, if I can find it)
The Dry Heart, Natalia Ginzburg (novella)(Kindle)
Stories with Pictures, Antonio Tabucchi (translated by E. Harris) (stories)
Images and Shadows, Iris Origo ((Kindle)(memoir)
A Tuscan Childhood, Kinta Beevor (memoir)
Lives of the Caesars, Suetonius (history)
Oh, to Be a Painter, Virginia Woolf (essays)
Hokusai, Giuseppe Latanza and Francesco Matteuzzi (translation, graphic)
Almost an Elegy, Linda Pastan (poetry)
The Book Lovers Cookbook, Shaunda Kennedy Wenger and Janet Kay Jensen (cooking) — fun to browse in

*Books from Past Readathons*

The Marriage Portrait, Maggie O’Farrell (fiction)—read half last time, set in Italy
A Life in the Country, Giovanni Verga (translation, short stories)—read one last time
Wind, Sand, and Stars, Antoine de Saint-Exupery (adventure memoir)—read 1/2 last year

Magazine

Somerset Studio: Autumn in Tuscany

[Cynda]

Susan, if you ever want to change things up among your GR groups, you are welcome to join the classics group I belong to. Sometimes we like things to stay tjistnthe same, thank you. And sometimes we might want to adventure. When the time is right.

[Elyse]

Great list, Susan!

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Great list Susan - hope you get a lot of reading done this week and weekend :)

[Susy]

Lots of options, nice, Susan!

[Susan]

Cynda wrote: "Susan, if you ever want to change things up among your GR groups, you are welcome to join the classics group I belong to. Sometimes we like things to stay tjistnthe same, thank you. And sometimes w..."

Thanks, Cynda! I’ll keep it in mind. Right now, I feel “booked up” but as you said, it’s when the time is right

[Susan]

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Great list Susan - hope you get a lot of reading done this week and weekend :)"

Thanks, Erin! Same to you!

[Susan]

Elyse wrote: "Great list, Susan!"

Thanks, Elyse! I’ll whittle it down before the Readathon, but choices are a good thing ;’

[Susan]

Susy wrote: "Lots of options, nice, Susan!"


Thanks, Susy! They say anticipation and planning are half the fun

[Susan]

Meal ideas:

Breakfast: Continental breakfast — roll, coffee, fruit

Lunch: tuna salad, pita bread, veggies

Dinner: pasta with salad

Snacks:
—San Pellegrino lemon seltzer
—baby carrots, cucumber, green pepper with hummus
—bananas, peaches, blueberries with yogurt
—popcorn
—outshine bars
—marshmallow treat
—Italian amaretti cookies
—cranberry biscotti

Bully stick for Jaxie

[Ann A]

You have impressive plans, as always, Susan. I really loved Beautiful Ruins, so I hope you can find a copy. It's perfect for your Italian theme!

[Jamie]

Nice book list. Perfect for some cozy reading! Mmm, tuna salad sounds good, and blueberries with yogurt is a favorite of mine and good brain food for a readathon! Happy reading!

[Susy]

Susan wrote: "Susy wrote: "Lots of options, nice, Susan!"


Thanks, Susy! They say anticipation and planning are half the fun"

They are indeed!
And some nice snacks too! It reminds me that I didnt list my pasta salads...

[Kate]

Hi Susan, what a great variety you have on your TBR. I love that you've got poetry on the list. I wish I'd thought of that! Enjoy the readathon.

[Susan]

Ann A wrote: "You have impressive plans, as always, Susan. I really loved Beautiful Ruins, so I hope you can find a copy. It's perfect for your Italian theme!"

I’ve got a copy of Beautiful Ruins, but now that I want to read it, I’m not sure where it is hiding. Will see if I can turn it up before 8 ;).

[Susan]

Jamie wrote: "Nice book list. Perfect for some cozy reading! Mmm, tuna salad sounds good, and blueberries with yogurt is a favorite of mine and good brain food for a readathon! Happy reading!"

Thanks, Jamie! Brain food is definitely what I need for reading tonight! Enjoy your reading!

[Susan]

Kate wrote: "Hi Susan, what a great variety you have on your TBR. I love that you've got poetry on the list. I wish I'd thought of that! Enjoy the readathon."

Hi, Kate, Maybe you can try some poetry next time? I really love having it in the mix for the readathons! Enjoy your reading!

[Susan]

Susy wrote: "Susan wrote: "Susy wrote: "Lots of options, nice, Susan!"


Thanks, Susy! They say anticipation and planning are half the fun"

They are indeed!
And some nice snacks too! It reminds me that I didn..."

Pasta salads sound delicious in this hot weather!

[Jamie]

^Yes! I often do pasta salad for the reverse readathon myself, but I just did a huge batch a couple weeks ago and didn't feel up to it again yet.

[Susan]

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? I’m reading from summery, lush, humid Maryland.

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? I don’t know. Maybe “The Dry Heart” by Natalia Ginzburg because I’m curious to read more of her work

3) Which snacks are you most looking forward to? A Rice Krispie treat which is becoming one of my Readathon staples

4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I’m retired, love to read (like everyone else participating in the Readathon), and have my little black and white terrier mix, Jaxie, to be my reading buddy. Right now, she’s napping on the floor in the coolest spot she can find.

5) What are your goals for this readathon? To read some books, snack on some snacks, chat with fellow readers and have a good time

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Popping in to say hello from the Eastern time zone, where we are ending the Midnight Hour, one of the most magical nighttime reading moments for me with Read-a-thons for some reason.



“Don't compare her to sunshine and roses when she's clearly orchids and moonlight.”
― Melody Lee, Moon Gypsy

Happy Reading! Or sleeping, whichever is happening on your end of the world! :)

[Susan]

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Popping in to say hello from the Eastern time zone, where we are ending the Midnight Hour, one of the most magical nighttime reading moments for me with Read-a-thons for some reason.

Thank you, Erin! What a beautiful picture, so atmospheric! Hope you’re having a magical Readathon evening! I’ll be round tomorrow morning, saying my hellos!

[Susan]

Yesterday has caught up with me, and I’m going to crawl under the covers with my audiobook (The Surgeon’s Mate by Patrick O’Brian). I give myself 10 minutes before I’m sound asleep. More books ahead tomorrow!