oop's its April

[Magdelanye, Senior Flight Attendant]

April slipped in like gangbusters , these gorgeously lengthening days. How is this reflected in our reading?

[Magdelanye, Senior Flight Attendant]

actually, my interest in reading is as restless as the shifting seasons. Can't quite engage....waiting for a couple of big books and looking for calm but also a shot of realism. Exploring new young women writers...and of course gardening books

[Ellen]

I didn't know you hardened. How cool is that? I'm obsessed with Elena Ferrante-I just finished Story of a Name having read My Brilliant Friend. I can't wait to read the next book!
What newfound women writers have you discovered?

[Ellen]

Sorry-Hardened not hardened!

[Ellen]

I can not get this right! Gardened

[Ellen]

Btw, I love April. Hopefully, no more snow!

[Magdelanye, Senior Flight Attendant]

Its been far too long, but now I am in a position where its possible again to have a garden and I am totally into it! How about you?
The new women writers: so far nothing really stands out. Some strong beginnings go nowhere, and others suffer from odd editorial decisions. So I am reluctant to recommend anything but will try to post reviews.
Today ta DA! I was able to spread a blanket on the lawn and read for about half an hour before I got too chilly

[Ellen]

I've never gardened so I have no feelings about it. I do badly with house plants, though.

Right now, I'm loving Elena Ferrante, who's only new to me.

Sitting on a blanket outdoors sounds like heaven!

(I'm having hip replacement surgery in June so maybe after I heal, I'll be able to things like that again!)

[Magdelanye, Senior Flight Attendant]

Have a real keyboard for an hour, at the library in Sechelt, the closest town. I will look for EF and can order if not here...and I will be surprised if it is, there is not too much room here for more than the classics and shmalz, so a pseudonymous Italian woman might not find its way to this remote outpost.

I wish I could send you some pictures.
And I do send you encouragement for your surgery in June. My Granfather was the first person in Canada to have this then revolutionary procedure, He was in his seventies by then, had been a doctor his whole life and was pleased to contribute to science, as he saw it, by being the first human subject.It really transformed his life for his last years, he could get around so much better, and free of pain. My dad had one a few years later, and the other one a few years after that. Twenty years or so later, he had to have a replacement for the first replacement..thats not bad considering how quickly machinery decays.. The new components are much smaller and human friendly....but you are way younger,and they have the operation down pretty pat by now. Just make sure you are in good shape when you go in and have sufficient help for the first weeks when you need to be resting not cooking or cleaning.

I dont do so well with house plants either, but watching seeds grow is a thrill, and so is garden fresh food!

[Ellen]

Your post makes me dream of gardens. And spring weather.

Good to hear about your family-I take hope in all forms now! I'm nervous but excited by the idea that after the recovery period I should be much more mobile than I am now, and in less pain.

I am reading Ferrante's Neapolitan series. So far, I've read My Brilliant Friend and The Story of a New Name, both of which I loved.

Right now I'm reading The Trick Is to Keep Breathing by Janice Galloway, the story of a depressed young woman that despite the sadness is oddly hilarious as well, thanks to the wryness of her voice.

And then I really want to get back to The Blazing World and Other Writings by Siri Hustvedt which I was loving but somehow got distracted from. About a woman artist assuming various male identities to be taken seriously by the New York art world. Only more interesting than I just made it sound, again, probably because of the character of the woman.

[Ice, Pilgrim]

Garden time imminent as the weather at last improves.

[Magdelanye, Senior Flight Attendant]

just finished A Tale for the Time Being
Ellie I noticed you gave this a 5 but havent had a chance to read your review....but oh I did love it too.
I am on the library computer at sechelt so might get some work done...and have a reserve on EF"s first two neopolitan novels. Of all things, the 3rd volume is available but I will wait to read in order.

What grows in an Ice garden?
The baby strawberry plants already have a few blossoms!

[Magdelanye, Senior Flight Attendant]

yabadabadoo!
I started the Goldfinch at last
was nervous because of all the hype but fell into see easily and naturally I am just enjoying