Hey there. Can you believe July is over? Neither can I.
After going dark for several weeks, I'm finally back in Boston. B & I just moved into our new place after enjoying our month in Pittsburgh, Indy, S. Bend, Duluth, Sioux Narrows, Ironwood, Sarnia, and Buffalo. Man oh man did we drive or what!
While we were in Canada, I had the chance to read... a lot. I should have brought more books with me, because I finished them early and then was stuck with the boring books on my Kindle that I really didn't want to read... which led to me spending a lot of time playing Solitaire instead.
So, in the order in which I finished the books:
Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
Loved it! Maybe because it was set in France, maybe because I have a fascination with WWII (fiction and non-fiction), maybe because the human interest story was terrifically fabricated. I couldn't put it down and I'm so glad that I read it!
In case I forget... the book was about Julia Jarmond, an American-born journalist residing in Paris with her husband Bertrand and her daughter Zoe. She finds out the story of Sarah, a girl who was taken during the Vel d'Hiv roundup of WWII.
I'm hopeful that the ending will bring her happiness!
The Finest Hours by Michael J. Tougias + Casey Sherman
The story of rescuing the tankers Mercer and Pendleton off the coast of Chatham during a Nor'easter in Feb. 1952.
Bernard Webber was the leader of the crew that was written about the most. I liked that it talked about the difficulties Bernard faced while living in the public eye after the daring rescue, because fame is something that not everyone is born ready for.
What I found most interesting is that the CG36500 (a 36 ft. lifeboat used in the rescue of the Pendleton) has been restored and is now kept in Rock Harbor in Orleans. That happens to be right around the corner from Steve and Ana's summer place. I'd love to go see it.
The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough
To be honest, it took two attempts to make it through this book. I started it before I started Sarah's Key, but wasn't connected to any of the historical figures discussed, which made it really easy to put the book down. Eventually, I picked it back up and and I'm glad I did.
I love the way that McCullough connected different aspects of our culture to show who was in Paris at the same time. I've considered the timeframes of artists, inventors, and scientists before, but it was much different to think of these three groups all on the same timeline. They weren't separate segments of society but instead a group who spent time in each other's company and/or contributed to shaping ideas for each other.
One event that I'm embarrassed not to know more about is the Franco-Prussian war (1871). Reading about these events took me back to my junior year of high school and I could almost see Ms. Fox's outlines on the whiteboard... almost. Note to self: find out when Alsace and Lorraine were returned to France.
It was difficult to get into the story about Augustus St. Gaudens because I often have a hard time appreciating sculptures the way they should be appreciated. I guess the same goes for sculptors.
For all of the civil liberties that Napoleon III may have dismantled, he made so many of the architectural changes that I associate with Paris.... and I just assumed they were part of the original plan. It's sad to think about the people whose lives were disrupted in order to accommodate his work.
A Secret Kept by Tatiana de Rosnay
I liked this book by de Rosnay as well. It was also set in France... I guess that was the theme for my summer reading! This I also read in one sitting and couldn't put down. It's been quite a long time since I read a book with a flashlight under the covers, but this one fit the bill.
Without giving the ending away, I'm glad it ended the way it did. Had every little detail and story ended perfectly, it wouldn't have done the characters justice.
I'm disappointed that Antoine gave in and slept with Astrid, but I'm glad that they both seemed to realize straight away that it was a mistake. Also, Angele kicks ass.
Also read, but not worth recapping:
Ruthless - Cheryl Douglas
The Simple Dollar - Trent A. Hamm
Okay, I actually did enjoy this story of Hamm getting himself out of debt, but it made me crazy about pinching pennies on our drive home, which wasn't the best way to have a relaxing end to our vacation. It also was good to help me realize that our financial choices are just a reflection of our priorities: if B and I want to travel during the summers, then we will have to make choices to spend less elsewhere so we can take amazing vacations. I can hear Goodwill calling my name...
Bridesmaid Lotto - ?? (free on Kindle, can't remember the author)
A silly story about winning the chance to be a bridesmaid for someone rich and famous. It made me thankful to have such grounded women willing to stand up for me when I get married. Thank you KP, CB, AD, and KM!
Okay. That's it!
