Here we go with the first month of a Dark Is Rising readalong hosted by AnnaBookBel. Following on the heels of Narniathon, I'm excited to share this journey through another of my favorite childhood series with you. Illustration by Laura Carlin The first book, however, was not one of my childhood favorites, because I never … Continue reading #TDiRS22: An ominous beginning
#OneWord2022: The health connection
This year, I've been making a concerted effort to improve my health, especially regarding the digestive issues and migraine headaches that have plagued me for almost half my life. With a number of transitions in my life going on, including a move to Switzerland at the same time as going through menopause , things really … Continue reading #OneWord2022: The health connection
Support Book Bloggers Challenge: Books I read because of other bloggers
I picked this prompt from the Support Book Bloggers Challenge because my reading is very influenced by other bloggers -- probably at least half the books I read are due to this. The reason can range from individual reviews, to a blogger's love for a particular author, to specific reading events, and even personal recommendations. … Continue reading Support Book Bloggers Challenge: Books I read because of other bloggers
Postcards from Switzerland: Val Surses and Engadin
At the start of Europe's heat wave in July, we decamped for cooler climes in the Alps. We stayed in the delightful town of Bivio in Val Surses, just across the Julierpass from the famous Engadin valley where my husband and I had stayed shortly after we were married 18 years ago. We got to … Continue reading Postcards from Switzerland: Val Surses and Engadin
Uncovering my eating disorder
It started when I was about nine years old, feeling lonely and displaced after my family had moved from California to Washington. Food became a major source of solace for me, junk food that I could not stop eating once I took the first bite. Potato chips, of course; I could not eat just one, … Continue reading Uncovering my eating disorder
Month in Review: July 2022
Literature This month saw the end of the Narniathon, which made me sad. Happily, next month Annabel of AnnaBookBel is starting a readalong of the five books of Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising sequence, which will take us through the end of the year. Hooray! I enjoyed doing the Six in Six meme as … Continue reading Month in Review: July 2022
Happy tenth anniversary to the Classics Club!
The Classics Club Blog is celebrating its tenth anniversary, and it brings back lots of fond blogging memories. From 2014 to 2019 I participated in this challenge to read and post about 50 books from a self-determined list of classics in five years, and I had lots of interesting experiences along the way. You can … Continue reading Happy tenth anniversary to the Classics Club!
#OneWord2022: Connecting with the head
One of challenges for this month's One Word linkup at Lisa Notes is "Google your word or look it up on Wikipedia or in a Bible concordance or dictionary. Find out something unique about your word this month. See if you get a new insight." The word "connect" yielded no results when I searched for … Continue reading #OneWord2022: Connecting with the head
Summer in Other Languages: Le Grand Meaulnes
I met my Summer in Other Languages goal of reading Le Grand Meaulnes, the classic novel by Alain-Fournier, in French. I'd read it some years ago in English, but I forgot most of the plot and it was like reading it for the first time! As with previous French reads, it was great to participate … Continue reading Summer in Other Languages: Le Grand Meaulnes
#Narniathon21: Farewell to Narnia
Reading through the Chronicles of Narnia has been a delightful experience, especially with all the stimulating and thoughtful commentary from our host Chris of Calmgrove and other participants. I will miss my monthly journey to this magical land; each one has brought back memories of childhood along with much to consider from an adult perspective. … Continue reading #Narniathon21: Farewell to Narnia