Reading.
One of the wonderful things about summer is that the light lasts so much longer. OK, that can mean more time to get things done, but it also lends itself to sitting outside and reading for awhile after one is done those very things. Another wonderful reason to love summer? NOTHING on television. Repeats, silly reality shows, (except Master Chef), not one thing to make one want to curl up and engage with some characters on a good drama or have a good chuckle. All that adds up to?
Reading.
I just finished Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson, another excellent book. And, like The Last Templar, it’s a novel which offers insight into an historic period/series of events I’ve known little about, the internment of the Japanese during World War II. This is a beautifully written novel. It is, all at the same time, a story about the cultural differences of an American and Japanese who fall in young love, a murder mystery told through a courtroom drama, aspects of life on San Piedro island – the men who make their living fishing on the ocean and those who cultivate the land on strawberry farms, the experience of some of the islanders who fought in the war and the aftereffects, and the rounding up and shipping off of the island’s Japanese residents and the conditions they were forced to endure.
Sounds like a pretty tall order, but Guterson is a wonderful writer and he captures it all. The snow, the cedars, the ocean, strawberries – all are practically characters in their own right. I’ll be holding my breath, but am going to get the movie.
And now I’ m reading a children’s book, Holes by Louis Sacher. Holes was the American Library Association’s 1999 Newbery winner. Awhile back, I decided to start reading what is considered the best in children’s literature and made a list – those that I wanted to read selected from among the Newbery winners. However, I prefer this list – the ALA Newbery medal winners AND the Honor books chosen – many not-to-be-missed books were right behind the medal winners.
Hoping you’re finding some time to read whatever you love while the daylight lingers ….
Still A Dreamer 
Lucky you to sit out in summer. I only work in the yard in summer, then head in to escape damn biting insects. This is why I live for May and October…
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I used to have a yard – 1/2 acre to garden, mow, rake, etc. – now I have next to none, and at this exact moment in time … I don’t miss it. I miss it in theory, but not in reality.
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If this house sells, I will be 1/2 and acre smaller too. Just need to find the next spot.
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Planning on staying in the hot and steamy (northern part of the) South?
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Have no concrete plans…West too expensive, VT too cold, would love to be closer to urban area without living there. Also trains instead of cars would be nice. A fellow blogger lives in London and trains for the day to the coast. Now THAT sounds wonderful. Have another friend in Belgium who does not need to own a car! D.
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I think I could do lower New England if I were to leave here, but life without a car? Can’t imagine it. But where I live you can’t get anywhere near a bus or a train without driving to it!
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Somehow when our founding fathers planned (or not) ground transportation, they forgot trains. Yes, they helped tame the west, yet in urban areas, the railroad really needs help. The train through here begins in LA and the toilets are not cleaned until NYC! I found out the hard way! Stench! EU would never have filthy trains.
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Ewww – that’s gross! I love trains as a means of transportation, but that’s truly unacceptable. I’m really surprised. (and disgusted.)
jeanne
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Snow Falling on Cedar remains one of those books that has somehow stayed in my mind over the years. Beautifully written and subtly evocative settling deep inside. I will check out your children’s book list for sure! Thank you – you’ve had a lovely summer for sure! Sharon
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I am grateful that I’ve been reading. I already have my next book and am excited about that!
jeanne
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