Here is a list on Bookshop.org with all the Maeve Binchy books I’ve read all year.
Tuesday, September 10
- Book: Tara Road
- Chapters: 6
- Location: Front stoop, literally. I’m not even in a chair.
- Smoking: Blueberry Muffin
What I’m listening to:
Did I cry?
No
Thoughts while reading (could be about the book, could not):
I have a lot of cool things happening right now, and they warm me up inside. This also means I haven’t had as much time to read.
I’m here now and ready to get into it.
I got very into the story all of a sudden. I forgot how much I love the character Andy Vine.
As I typed that, I thought, “I think I like most characters named Andy.”
Now, I’m going to go research this.
The first Andy I thought of was Andy Botwin from Weeds. Something about the way Justin Kirk played this complicated character really made him attractive to me.
So, yes, I do enjoy that character named Andy.
Andy from Toy Story. I mean, yeah, he’s fine. But I don’t have a warm feeling for him in any sort of way.
I’m still putting him in the positive column.
I lit up immediately when I remembered Andy Dwyer from Parks & Rec. What a delight he was. In fact I love this character so much I have a piece of art depicting one of his characters: Burt Macklin, FBI.
So, yeah, that’s an Andy I love.
Then I think of Andy Dufresne and start tearing up. Definitely gives me that warm feeling.
That’s a positive Andy.
Then, Sherrif Andy Taylor on the Andy Griffith Show.
Are there any Andys I’m forgetting?
In case you were wondering, yes, the book is still excellent.
New birds heard:
GREAT HORNED OWL, BITCHES
Thursday, September 12
- Book: Tara Road
- Chapters: 7
- Location: Front stoop (in a chair this time)
- Smoking: It was delivery day, so we have something new: Royal Highness
What I’m listening to:
Did I cry?
No
Thoughts while reading (could be about the book, could not):
I have been very work focused lately, between preparing one of my clients for a pitch and taking my lollipops all seriously again, I don’t have much to say today. Also, this book is very good. Like, not just, “Oh, I love Maeve Binchy, so all of her books are good”, but good in general for the uninitiated reader.
I’m gonna read now. Vic is here, eating nuts.
I think this one also might be the most neurotypical of the Binchy books so far. It deals with grief, love, and death in broad ways that are easily accessible to everyone.
Maybe I mean that this book has the most universal appeal. I see why they made it into a movie. It’s a good, traditional story. It’s comfortable and familiar but also foreign since part of it takes place in Ireland.
It’s very Hallmarkian.
New birds heard:
No birbs
Saturday, September 14
- Book: Tara Road
- Chapters: The End
- Location: Front Porch
- Smoking: Jokers (this smells really good)
What I’m listening to:
Did I cry?
Yes, it was a good ending
Thoughts while reading (could be about the book, could not):
I was making beef stroganoff while I was reading, and it turned out pretty delicious.
One of the things I love about living here is that I can wake up in the morning, have a hankering for a meal, and then go to a human-owned market a mile down the road to buy the ingredients for my meal.
The best part is these ingredients are local and vetted by humans. I know I’m getting good stuff.
If I yearned for a meal in Florida, I mostly just ignored it and cooked something else because going grocery shopping was too stressful to be worth it.
Also, while I was at Moscheks, I wanted a dessert from their deli case and asked about the employee’s favorite dessert.
She picked “Apple Banana Salted Caramel Crunch,” which I never would have chosen in one million years. If we’re being honest, I was leaning towards Pistachio Delight. I love pistachios so much, y’all.
Full disclosure: I am typing this blog on Sunday after taking paper notes. There is a squirrel smashed up in the road, and I am worried it is Vic because he’s normally out here if I am. I would be so sad. That little dood brightens my day so much. The blood and guts are bright red and look very artistic, but I cannot bring myself to take a photo. (Update from the future: It is not Vic.)
Also, that feels hella morbid, back to the book.
Okay, so Annie, the daughter, is hella strong. She is clear about her wants and needs and isn’t afraid to speak up for the people she loves and, most importantly, herself. She’s incredibly well-spoken and protective, and if I were Ria, I’d be so proud that she’s my daughter.
Colm said this, and I think it is very true, “Like plants, your problems need light and air.”
If you keep things bottled inside, they just stir around and mix into something much more complex and horrifying.
Get that shit out, man. That’s one reason my Morning Pages have been so instrumental in my mental health. I just write down whatever is in my brain, good or bad, with no judgment. It’s really helped me navigate so many things. I’m grateful for the space and time to be able to do this. There is no way I’d have been able to make this a part of my schedule while working a full-time job.
And that’s how they get you stuck. It’s a terrible cycle, and I hate it.
Here are a few more notes:
- Oh shit, big death I forgot about
- Rosemary is pure, 100% grade-A TRASH
- Gertie’s power of pretend is magical and necessary
This book was great, y’all. A different vibe than most Binchy books, in my opinion. I’m about to get into a good section of books that I’ve reread A LOT, and I am so excited to spend time with these characters again.
But first, I’ll be reading a non-Binchy, non-published book. D’s roommate has written a mystery novel with fantasy elements and has asked me to read it before she starts shopping it around.
I am excited, y’all. I love fresh thoughts. I asked her if I could talk about it on the blog, and I have permission.
woohoo!
New birds heard:
None, just cars
