Eats
Nothing to report, except that I've gotten fancy with my plating for Costco's orange chicken.
Workouts
Also not much to report. I went on a trip this weekend so I didn't even go hiking.
Watching
Phew, now I can keep up with what the cool kids are talking about. Since we last talked I've seen White Lotus season 3.
The buzz that I'm hearing is that a lot of people felt the season was too slow and were upset by the ending, but I loooooved everything about it. My only comment about the ending is that I'm still not over how season 2 ended, so there was nothing about season 3 that was going to bug me. OK, fine I would have changed one person's ending but that's it.
One of my SILs had already finished the season by the time I started the finale, and I'd heard a spoiler (which turned out to be a MacGuffin), so I texted her in real time with my guesses and adjustments as I learned that I had guessed wrong. There were so many twists and turns that whatever you've heard if you haven't seen it then it hasn't been spoiled.
Anyways, 10/10 and I am here for all future seasons and delighted by a rumor that I heard that there might be a prequel with Tanya's backstory. I'm going to repeat that every chance that I get so that it comes true.
Reading
A hit, a miss, and something new.
The hit is a juicy little memoir that I heard about from Nicole. The author of I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself: One Woman's Pursuit of Pleasure in Paris spent 14 months of the pandemic alone in her apartment in New York, and as soon as the borders opened to international travel, she got herself on a plane to Paris and made up for lost time. And by lost time, I mean that she got on a dating app called Fruitz and told the fellas exactly what she said in the title - that she was in Paris to enjoy herself. And she did. The End.
The author is Glynnis MacNicol, which is a name that as far as I knew I had never heard. At one point she mentioned a US road trip, and I thought "now that's the book that I want to read". I got on Google and was shocked to learn that this is not the first time I've seen her name or heard her voice. She did the podcast Wilder, about the Little House books, which I'd heard last year. For the podcast she went on a road trip with her friends to see the Little House locations. So I had already heard the story of her road trip. Let's hear it for good writers with a wide range of interests!
Now the miss. I've heard mostly good things about The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osmond, and it's been on my list of books to check out sometime. Then I heard about his new book, called We Solve Murders. It is the first book in a new series, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to come in fresh with this hot author.
I picked up the book and started reading, and was immediately lost and unable to concentrate. Normally that would be an automatic DNF, but for reasons that I'll get to in a minute, I was very motivated to stick with it. I googled a plot summary, read through the first part, and then started the book over again. Yes, I was tracking now. See, I'm just too distractible and this was a good exercise to buckle down.
But when I put the book down I found myself lost again, and I noticed that after clicking through page after page that I was only 10% in. It just wasn't going to work.
The reason why I wanted to read this book is that it is the first pick for an IRL bookclub that has its first meeting this week. Because I really want to check out the group, I'm going to lean on google so that I can keep up with the discussion, be very candid that I wasn't able to get into it, and take it from there.
Currently: I wanted something new, and found it by looking at the 5 star book list for Sarah's Bookshelves (it's a Patreon perk). From there I came up with The Coast Road by Alan Murrin. Plot summary: I read a few chapters last night and I like it.
What Else is New?
I went on a trip last weekend, and as soon as I get the bandwidth I will come back and tell you about it. Here is your teaser:
Actually I'm not doing well in the bandwidth department. A few things have come up that have me scrambling for time, so I'm mostly here but not quite. I'll catch up someday.
Peace Out! Who's seen White Lotus and what did you think? Have you ever joined a book club and not been able to get into the book? How's your bandwidth these days?
I'm sorry you're having some trouble, friend.
ReplyDeleteHowever! Glad you liked the memoir! It was wild to remember that time because I feel like things locked down again right after that summer. It's hazy, I should check the blog, but I won't, because I don't want to be reminded!
As for the book club, that just happened to me, but *shrug*
Yes, shrug. I'm still going to have a good time. I kind of remember COVID being somewhat calm in the fall of 2021 and then exploding in early 2022. In any case, she picked the right time to make her trip.
DeleteOoh! I look forward to reading about your trip. And I hear you on the bandwidth. Sometimes mine is just small. But props to you for your pretty plating. We eat with our eyes first, right? Might as well enjoy the little things, especially when the big things are...too big!
ReplyDeleteCorrect - the big things are too big, and they kind of happen anyway whether we put energy into them or not. The small stuff is what can slip by if we're not paying attention.
DeleteExcept for the Osman, I have seen/read nothing on your list! That Paris book sounds very fluffy but like it may be pretty funny or fun. Maybe that is what I need! I am having a bit of trouble as well, not re bandwidth like you mention, but more towards focus, which doesn't really bode well when reading. I often drift off in my mind, especially with audiobooks!
ReplyDeleteI hope that whatever your mulling over or having trouble with gets resolved!!
I think you would like the Paris book. But it's also nothing that profound so don't feel bad if you don't get to it.
DeletePart of the reason why it's hard for me to focus is that a large portion of my day is spent on boring/stressful/"I don't really understand it" stuff aka my job. I think my brain just reaches a point where it shuts down so spare me.
Googling the plot is a genius move! Did you just get a summary, or did you also get some critical reviews to help shape your opinion?
ReplyDeleteThe Coast Road sounds like a solid pick—hopefully it’s a perfect match!
Can’t wait to hear more about your trip and how the book club adventures unfold. I’m sure your bandwidth situation will improve soon - hang in there, Birchie!
Well, We Solve Murders isn't exactly breaking the internet, but I did find a 50 page summary that I could preview enough of for free to get the gist.
DeleteMy bandwidth would improve in a hurry if I would just quit my job already!!! For a variety of reasons I can't bring myself to do anything except sit on the ledge right now.
I am definitely not a cool kid because I haven't seen White Lotus. I know. I know! Everyone loves it. I need to get with the program.
ReplyDeleteThe Richard Osmond books are yet another example of how out of it I am. I know everyone loves The Thursday Murder Club series, but for whatever reason they just don't appeal to me (to be fair, I've never even tried to read those books- so for all I know, it could be something I would love but I'm just not giving it a chance.) I'll be interested to hear how this book club goes!
The Coast Road sounds really good. And I can't wait to hear about your trip!
You nailed it - I've heard good things about Thursday Murder Club, but just not enough good things to make me go for it. Hey, there are many great books out there that I will never read because I only have one lifetime, and that's OK.
DeleteAgree on the plating - Michelin Stars here you come.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen White Lotus and don't think it would be in my range of tastes from some of the things I've heard, but you can clarify if you think otherwise.
I just finished Northern Spy by Flynn Berry this week and enjoyed it. Now I'm on to Trust Her (the second book - I didn't realize there were two in a "series") and it's not as good. I will be telling lots more about both books when I do my April book roundup in early May. Stay tuned!
I can clarify that based on everything that I know about your tastes that White Lotus is probably not a fit. What is a fit for my tastes are your monthly reading recaps, so I am looking forward to the discussion!
DeleteI like the Thursday Murder Club series, but haven't dipped into Osmond's latest series. I'm waiting for the Netflix [I think] series based on the Thursday Murder Club to air, soon I hope. My bandwidth? It's suffering lately between allergies and political chaos. Thanks for asking.
ReplyDeleteI've tuned out the political chaos because it is not worth my life energy, but allergies are something that cannot be ignored. Boo! And thanks for the reminder that I have not yet taken my allergy meds today.
DeleteI think the Paris memoir is probably not for me because I'm a bit of a prude about things like casual sex... And writing about casual sex... I am reading a memoir called "A Little Less Broken" which is about a woman that gets dx'd with autism in her 30s. It's been an interesting read. I can't remember if you've read Broken Country, but if you haven't, I would check that out as it was very good! And the author interview that dropped this week was excellent. The author has the best accent!! I'm looking forward to the patreon spoiler discussion!!
ReplyDeleteYep, we can definitely put the Paris memoir on the "not safe for Lisa" list. And while we are at it we will put A Little Less Broken on my TBR because that sounds right up my alley!
DeleteI haven't decided if I want to read Broken Country yet but the episode is next on my podcast playlist so I will be diving in soon.
I am here for any and all things White Lotus. I too loved everything about this season. It might be my favorite season (so far)? I found it so thought provoking, and I have been thinking a lot about the internal logic of the show (why some people die and some people live) and how our identities are shaped by both internal and external forces. It was a good one. I have an inkling about which person's ending you would have changed (if it's the one I'm thinking of, I too struggle with it because it feels unfair; in many cases, it feels like characters are simply props in other people's lives and I both dislike that and find it interesting to think about as part of the particular philosophy of the show), but I want to know if I'm right.
ReplyDeleteWe Solve Murders was a big meh from me. I read it a month or so ago and can't really remember a whole lot about it except for the overwhelming feelings of a) meh and b) trying too hard to be cute/funny/charming/whimsical.
WL has gotten better with each season IMO, and of course it started off strong so that's a lot of incremental good TV happening. I can't wait to see what they do next, and I want the Tanya prequel! I don't think I've ever cared about a prequel before.
DeleteI had to do a big presentation at work yesterday, my students are signing up for the last minute for appointments, and we have another long-term project that requires my attention almost every day. My bandwidth for blogging has led to me posting things like "I'm going to make cookies" and then not making cookies. LOL. Oh, well.
ReplyDeleteI read all our book club books and then complain endlessly about the ones I don't like! That's how you do it.
Thanks for the tip! I will complain about the book tonight! (JK, I will sit back and smile and nod wisely at what everyone else has to say).
DeleteThe cookie baking will happen!
I'm not cool and I haven't seen White Lotus. It will be interesting to see what the other people in your book club thought about the book! It could be a fun discussion. I hope your bandwidth is back to normal soon - I'm looking forward to reading about your trip! The teaser photo looks like a Senate or House!
ReplyDeleteThe Coolest of the Cool Kids don't watch the cool kid shows;-)
DeleteYou are correct about the photo. It's the Senate chamber from the most luxe state Capitol that I've seen yet.
I did watch this season of White Lotus and did feel that it was plodding and annoying. I appreciated the thematic aspects of much of it, but I would like to have had more than one character to like who had some depth. I felt like there was far more intricacy to the objectionable characters than the ones to root for. Season 1 was more fun, too. This season was darker and more tense.
ReplyDeleteI just finished up The Indifferent Stars Above--excellent. We recently had to move our bookshelving, so I pulled all my books out (so many!). I think I'm going to take some time and do some rereading in the next few months.
Bandwidth--Heard. Hang in there. There really is only so much you can do.
I loved Indifferent Stars! Definitely a great audio book for a road trip.
DeleteI’m only on episode two of this season of White Lotus so I skipped that section in case of spoilers.
ReplyDeleteI love the wide variety of two books the author you mentioned has written about.
I like that I end up reading more variety for book club than what I would choose on my own. I just dnf the most recent book in my book club but it seems like it would feel more tricky doing that at your first meeting.
My bandwidth has been okay lately because my youngest kid is 5 which is giving me more bandwidth than I’ve had since pre kid days.
Don't worry, all that you missed was me saying that I thought this season was spoiler proof becuase even if someone told you every detail you'd still have to see it to believe it. Have fun with the rest of the show!
DeleteI've forgotten how chaotic life was with little kids, and I came onto the scene when my stepkids were already in grade school, so ahead of where you are now. It gets so much easier!
White Lotus is all the talk, but No, I have not watched it. I don't watch a lot of TV. The little girls and Coach (but sometimes just the girls) and I are watching The Great British Baking Show, but even that is taking forever. I wait for all the not-a-lot-of-homework and me not having too much going on, etc. stars to align before we watch one episode. Once the girls go to bed, I'm often found at my computer writing or blogging, or catching up on the emails or other to-do stuff on my list.
ReplyDeleteI'm in one book club. I joined about 7 years ago, when I finally felt it was time I do something for me. A few kids could drive and I could slip away even though book club is on one of his late nights. There's always a handful of people who didn't read the book, and no one cares. I'm hosting next Thursday and I have to get my butt in gear to make the food and put the house in order.
Sorry that from the sound of things you have more on your plate than you'd care to have to deal with right now. I hope things settle down for you soon. I just read The Many Lives of Mama Love. I really, really liked it.
I loved Mama Love! She is such a good writer.
DeleteYeah, White Lotus is probably not going to cut if for a family show.
Hugs, friend! I hope things get better for you. <3
ReplyDeleteIt's hard finding an IRL book club, especially when you're not jiving with the book selections. But you never know - other people might be feeling the same way!
I haven't seen The White Lotus! I don't have Max so it's passed me by. And I'm not really one for "prestige" TV anyway so I'm okay with not getting into it. Maybe one day I will!
You would laugh at the thought that went into getting Max. I timed it around the new season of The Last of Us. I might need more than one month to watch my build up of shows, but no more than that and the subscription is getting kicked to the curb.
DeleteI haven't seen White Lotus! I know nothing about it, lol! I should.. check that out? I get so overwhelmed with all the different streaming services. I really am not a fan of this system!! I'm constantly asking my husband- wait, do we have that? haha. So it's on Max? I think we do have that.... I am pretty sure it was some kind of bundle or deal we got? Ok, new goal for the weekend is to figure out which freaking streaming services we actually have. (My husband handles those!) I usually just default to Netflix....
ReplyDeleteOoh, pretty trip teaser! I don't know where that is, but it's beautiful!
The streaming services are ridiculous! We handle them by being cheap and mean and only getting them once in a while.
DeleteWhen we watched the WL 3 finale I was surprised it wasn't spoiled for us - and we had to pause it right after the blender. Then when we finished it the next day I understood why LOL.
ReplyDeleteThat memoir sounds fun!
That's how I feel with bandwidth too. Hope you have a little clam here and there <3
It's impossible to spoil! I heard about the blender so I thought I knew what to expect - and then I got crossed and then double crossed! I definitely fell into the trap that they wanted me to fall into.
DeleteI am fascinated by that cookbook!! also, I hope you love Remarkably Bright Creatures. I know the author (we lived in NC at the same time) and she is an awesome person!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I'm looking forward to July book club.
Delete