Here is a list on Bookshop.org with all the Maeve Binchy books I’ve read all year.
Wednesday, November 6 and also Thursday, November 7
- Book: Quentins
- Chapters: Look, I don’t remember where I stopped
- Location: Front stoop, it is lovely
- Smoking: tinysmols
What I’m listening to:
Did I cry?
Nop, got close though.
Thoughts while reading (could be about the book, could not):
Now? I’m ready to relax and read.
“The New Poor”
This is a phrase the twins (yes, Maude and Simon are back) used in relation to one of the characters. I feel like most of the people I know are “new poor.” That makes me feel some kind of way.
I love the way we get nuggets of updates aboutt he characters in Scarlet Feather. Maude and Simon and being tutored in math by Ella Brady. Hooves has a limp as a result of the last book’s activities. And now we learn that Tom and Cathy are a couple and expecting a child.
It warms the heart, really.
New birds heard:
None, yo
Tuesday, November 19
- Book: Quentins
- Chapters: Starting with “Serious Celebration”
- Location: Front stoop
- Smoking: mary jane
What I’m listening to:
Did I cry?
Yes, when Patrick did something sweet in one of the short stories.
Thoughts while reading (could be about the book, could not):
I grew a carrot but the birds and squirrels aren’t interested! Look!
Yeah, it’s scrawny, but it’s still edible, right!? Picky-ass squirrels.
Oh, before I start reading, I wanted to tell you something unusual about this book.
It’s. hybrid. That’s the best way I can think to describe it.
See? There’s a story line that goes through the entire book. The chapters are numbered and if you just read those you’d get the full story of the book.
Interespersed between the story line are blocks of short stories. They all occur in universe and they are the stories they will tell in the documentary they are planning/filming throughout the book.
It gives me hope that one day I can write a book about me sitting here on the stoop, with a chapter-by-chapter through storyline. But then I can also include short stories about the, uh, stories I make upin my brain about the people who walk by.
There is one schoolgirl who loves the leaves as much as I do. When I rake, I leave her a big pile that goes the length of the sidewalk in front of our house so she can crunch through them every afternoon.
There’s the fella that walks down the street at the same time every day and then comes back with a 12-pack of classic Budweiser. Normally, he looks quite sad or angry or introspective, at the very least. One day, though, he was beaming as he walked by. The only difference was he was drinking a bottle of water. There’s a story there, and my brain has many different ways this could go.
There is our neighbor who walks shirtless whenever he can, tossing a hefty stick from hand to hand as he marches down the sidewalk. He’s jolly, though; this only sounds threatening.
There is a couple who does power walking every morning. He is like a puppy dog, eager and excited. She is like an owl, all back, no neck, but somehow all regal. She moves with purpose.
My brain stays making up stories about these folks, y’all.
Now I’ll go read the stories someone else’s brain made up.
Here is an excellent quote from this book:
“They all agreed that there was no other job quite as interesting as watching the human race at feeding time.”
I mean, it’s one of my favorite pastimes.
New birds heard:
None
Thursday, November 21
- Book: Quentins
- Chapters: does it matter for this book?
- Location: Front Stoop. It was snowing earlier.
- Smoking: ???
What I’m listening to:
Did I cry?
nop
Thoughts while reading (could be about the book, could not):
Last night, I went to see Mean Girls: The Musical with my friend Genia. My other friend Aubz is the costume mistress on this tour! We all went to dinner beforehand and had the literal best gnocchi of my life. Normal gnocchi feel like pillows, these felt like clouds. They were so good we ordered a second dish.
After the show (if you want to know what I thought, read my Watchlist blog from last week), I watched both Mean Girls movies and the musical back to back, so of course, I was forced to rank them.
Afterward, Aubz and Caleb came for late-night stoop hangs, and it was miraculous. Then, today an announcement was made about me today. I will just post it here word for word because I feel embarrassed:
”I have some big news FB Fam!
I’m so pleased to announce that the illustrious and very talented Jacki Mick will soon take on the new role of Chief Marketing Officer here at EngErotics. But that’s not all! She will *also* serve on our Board of Directors as our new Marketing Chair!
Jacki came on board with us several years ago to assist with the redesign of all of our packaging. Since then, her role at EngErotics has grown and blossomed into becoming the official marketing arm of EngErotics. She consistently goes above and beyond in all that she does. Her marketing expertise, artistic acumen, and intimate knowledge of industry trends have never steered us wrong.
I am absolutely THRILLED about this new development within the company and I have no doubt that we’re gonna see some amazing things in 2025 with her officially taking over all things marketing at EngErotics.
Congratulations, Jacki!!!”
-Raven Faber, Founder & CEO
So, I’m all happy and feeling great. I think me and Aubz and Caleb are gonna go to one of my favorite local restaurants, Moros while they’re here. I think that will be a fun way to celebrate.
Okay now I am gonna read and watch the snow turn into rain and then back to snow and then back to rain again.
Oh, someone ate my carrot. (caried in Irish, if I remember correctly. I did not. It is cairead.)
New birds heard:
none
