Here is a list on Bookshop.org with all the Maeve Binchy books I’ve read all year.
(I am currently on a short Binchy break, as I read an unpublished novel.)
Tuesday, October 2
- Book: Bellows & Burrows, an unpublished novel by D’s roommate, SW
- Chapters: 61% done!
- Location: Back Yard in the sunshine
- Smoking: Royal Highness
What I’m listening to:
Did I cry?
Nope
Thoughts while reading (could be about the book, could not):
Look, I’m obsessed with the Challengers soundtrack. What can I say?
It’s gorgeous outside today, so I packed my pockets full of nuts in case my squirrel friends came by and set up in the backyard.
Here is my view:
Those trees are gonna be bare soon, and that is still wild to me. After all those years in Florida, I’m still not used to seasons. I still love them, though.
I have been thinking about this book more than I have been thinking about a book all year. Normally, I close the book on Binchy and go about my day, never giving another thought to what I read.
SW’s book, however, has me feeling like the latest season of one of my favorite shows. I’m turning over theory ideas in my brain and trying to figure out what happens next.
This is weird to me because I’ve actively been trying to curtail it while I’m watching something. Trying to figure things out WHILE it’s happening actively really takes me out of it. Discussions afterward are okay.
I guess these thoughts are from my solo discussions after reading.
Ok, let’s read.
Aside from the possibility of your head being lobbed off, it feels like Foxholm would be a fun place to grow up. Or attend storytime in the library, at least.
Okay, there is a small section here that I am in love with. Two characters, one from Foxholm and one from out of town, are planning a series of cozy mystery novels. I love watching, er, reading creativity unfold.
Even more so, brainstorming, which is what this section feels like to me. I don’t know if I’ve felt the excitement of brainstorming through a book before, and boy, oh, boy, is it exciting.
Okay, sometimes I think I pick up on pointed breadcrumbs pretty quickly. There might be an upcoming fire based on a single line in this book. Idk if I’ll let you know if I’m right or not. We’ll see how important the fire is to the story.
Hello, I am back and happy to report that there is a kick-ass section of this book where the main character is chasing some unknown cries for help. It’s really freshly written and got me so hype.
Okay, while I am saddened at the death reveal, I am thrilled it wasn’t another character who I was worried about up until the name of the body was uttered.
I’m very into this now, so I will try to make as much time as possible for this. HOWEVER, I will have something unusual taking up my time on Wednesday – I’ll be taking a tap dancing class less than three miles from Professor Haus. EEEE.
I hope I love it.
New birds heard:
American Redstart!!!!
Friday, October 4
- Book: Bellows & Burrows
- Chapters: 81% done!
- Location: Front Stoop, in the 70s!
- Smoking: Jokers!
What I’m listening to:
Did I cry?
No!
Thoughts while reading (could be about the book, could not):
Okay, so the tap class was amazing.
It was all REAL adults, not a couple of grown-ups, and then a bunch of teen dancers who were just trying to squeeze in as many classes as possible.
There are eight dancers, and the teacher said I am a youngin, which suits me just fine. The class has a bunch of different levels, from beginners to a couple of people who are the best tap dancers I have ever seen in person. It is wild.
The class was amazing. We warmed up with some tap rudiments that I had never done before in my life, then moved on to some things I did know how to do.
The only problem is… I learned the technique all wrong, y’all.
Luckily, this teacher is excellent at teaching a variety of levels, and I think I’ll be back in step in no time.
Now, lemme tell you more about this book.
I was reading on Friday, and since I couldn’t type, I have only my paper notes and memories to go by.
Sometimes, the main character, Bellamy, comes off as more clueless than the reader. I feel like this works in the book’s favor. It gives the reader an advantage and makes them feel clever. I like feeling clever, so that’s a point in this book’s favor.
Oh, I need to tell you something:
I did a lousy job at taking notes because I got so into the book. But you’re not here for a traditional book review anyways, right?! RIGHT?! (fingers crossed in hopefulness.)
It got really good, okay?! With that in mind, please enjoy my disjointed notes.
I have a physical need to see the Wishing Tree. Damn, my aphantasia. One of the cool things about this book (and books in general, I guess) is that no two people would picture the Wishing Tree the same way. The setting and scene look different in everyone’s imagination.
A fun experiment would be to have a bunch of folks read this book and then draw the Wishing Tree.
I wrote this down, but can’t even recall why anymore:
“Are the birds at war with the foxes?”
The foxes are foxy, and I hope a stuffed fox is released in conjunction with this novel. please.
One of the best things about this book is that it focuses on the importance of belonging and feeling accepted. The town of Foxholm does that for people.
So does this book. It’s cozy but exciting, like one of those farming games that have a little bit of magic thrown it. It calms your nervous system instead of getting it all riled up, you know?
“Foxholm found me” would be an excellent tagline for this book. If I could picture things, I could SEE it on a cover, but alas, I could only feel them.
At this point in the book, I was afraid that my favorite character was responsible for all the bad stuff. I texted my daughter, telling her of my worry. (she has already read this book.) All she could say was, “I love ____.”
She’s really good at spoilers, y’all.
ONE MORE THING BEFORE I WRAP UP THIS DAY OF WRITING.
At one point, SW describes something as being “Cosmos pink.” I immediately knew what shade this was. Even though I couldn’t picture it, I can feel the happiness that this shade brings me. I love it when things are described in unconventional yet accessible ways, and SW is fantastic at this.
New birds heard:
None!
Saturday, October 5
- Book: Bellows & Burrows
- Chapters: I’m done, doods
- Location: Front stoop
- Smoking: Jokers
What I’m listening to:
Did I cry?
No, but I was sad when I finished it.
Thoughts while reading (could be about the book, could not):
Okay, so the end was something else.
I wasn’t expecting it, but it fit right in with the rest of the book.
For some reason, I did paper notes again, even though I read this on a Saturday. Maybe my internal clock was confused, idk.
I think I was just too rabid for what happens at the end to bother with setting up the iPad, tbh.
Note 1: Belonging = Survival?!
Yes. I think the answer to my fevered scribbling was yes. To belong in Foxholm is to survive. To survive is to belong in Foxholm. They feel like one and the same.
Note 2: okay, this twist is low-key great.
I mean, obviously, I can’t tell you what the twist was.
One of my favorite things about this book is that there are romantic relationships, but romance isn’t a driving force. Not for the characters, not for the town, not for the story. I love it so much. I wish I had more books like this to read when I was growing up.
Note 3: OH NO THE WISHES
A part in the book made me sad. But again, I can’t expound on it cause of spoilers.
I do, however, wish I could “see” many of these scenes. SW is fabulous at descriptions, and the world she has built in Folxholm is lush and detailed. I can’t wait to watch the limited series.
Note 4: Was that a Triangle of Sadness callback?
SW and D will likely know what I mean.
Note 5: The end was exhilarating.
So, yeah, this book was a certified fantasy bop and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I’ll let y’all know when it comes out so you can read it, and we can all talk about it.
Oooh, maybe when it comes out, I’ll host a book club! That could be so fun!!!
New birds heard:
Bah, none. Aside from all the birbs in the book.
