September has arrived my friends and seems to now be bearing down upon me. My list of “September things to do” before we leave for Spain later in the month has suddenly become urgent, and worrying.
How is it that you can be relaxed, calm, and confident, feeling that you have everything in hand, lots of time to proceed in an orderly fashion, and then wake up one morning, like today, in a panic because you have too many things to do and not enough time in which to accomplish them? Sigh. Because both states of being are an illusion, that’s why.
State A, the period of calm confidence, existed because I had made my list, crossed a few things off, and then had a week of fun distractions before I could move on to the other things on my list. State B exists because the reason for the distractions has now gone home and I must face my list knowing the rest of the month will flash by and fearing that I WON’T BE READY! When in fact, I know that once I get started on the list it will melt away easily, in good time. I just have to get started, instead of burying my nose in a book.
First, I’ll update you on what I’ve been reading for the past month or so. Then we’ll get to the distractions.
I am currently reading a really good book by a Canadian author that most of you, if you’re not Canadian, will not know. His name is Giles Blunt, and for some weird reason I haven’t read his stuff in years.
Blunt wrote the John Cardinal series of mystery novels set in the small fictional city of Algonquin Bay, Ontario which is based on Blunt’s real life home of North Bay. In the early and mid-2000s, Hubby and I read Blunt’s mysteries and loved them. The first in the series is Forty Words for Sorrow. His books are gritty. Even so, I love the character of John Cardinal, flawed, beleaguered, but ultimately a good man. And I love Giles Blunt’s writing style more. It’s so clean, and yet vivid. Kind of like the Canadian wilderness.
If you get a chance, give his Cardinal books a try. There are six in the Cardinal series. To be honest, I read these books years ago, and I can’t remember much about them except we liked them. They portray a realistic idea of semi-northern, rural, Ontario. Well, except for the murders. The snow and the weather are virtually a character in the books. Typically Canadian. Which I love.
The book I’m reading now is not a mystery, and it’s not set in Canada, but in the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York state. Then again, northern New York state might as well be Canada in many ways. The cold, the trees, the small towns. The novel is called Bad Juliet, and the main character is Paul Gascoyne, a failed poet and former academic. Having rashly thrown away his career as an English professor at a good university, Gascoyne is offered a position as a kind of teacher/ tutor to tuberculosis patients at the famous Trudeau Sanitarium in Saranac Lake in upstate New York. The Trudeau clinic and its founder Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau actually existed, as did the community of clinics and “cure cottages,” where patients convalesced, or hoped to convalesce. At the time in which the novel is set, 1916, penicillin has yet to be discovered, and TB was deadly. The only real treatment was bedrest, healthy food, and clear, clean, cold, dry air. Hence the mountain location for these clinics.
The main plot involves Gascoyne’s tenure at the Trudeau clinic and his relationship with a particular female patient who was on the Lusitania when it was torpedoed by a German U-boat in May 1915, and who survived only to be stricken with TB. I won’t say more about that except that the story is riveting. I also am loving the setting, and how Blunt’s lean writing style is so perfect for this cold, supposedly curative, environment. As well the background story of the sinking of the Lusitania is fascinating. As is the story of TB itself, how the disease affects the stricken patients, how it progresses, and the tragedy of medical science not really being able to fight this killer.
I’m only halfway through the book so I can’t say if my opinion will change, but so far I can highly recommend Bad Juliet.
When I was home in New Brunswick in August I read quite a bit. One book, Annie Bot by Sierra Green, I’d ordered from the library because I found it recommended somewhere; I don’t recall where or by whom. Speculative fiction is not usually my kind of fare, so I must have trusted the reviewer. I mean, the story of a girl-robot-companion who is purchased by a lonely, single man whose other relationships have all gone sour? I’d normally have rejected it on that premise alone. But, I found I could not put the darned thing down. The whole robot industry and how it works in the book is really interesting while also being totally offensive. As well, the ability of robots to learn and “develop,” if allowed by their “owners,” and the ramifications with respect to women’s rights, and bodily self-determination, is a bit of a minefield. But a fascinating minefield. Pray that we never get there, my friends. Anyway, if you trust this reviewer, give it a go and let me know what you think. Let me know if you begin to identify with the robot or not.
When I was in New Brunswick, I also read one of Mum’s books which I’d read before. In fact, I devoured The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet by Colleen McCullough… again. I don’t think it’s as good as Janice Hadlow’s The Other Bennet Sister, which I immediately ordered from the library so I can read it again as well. I’m not usually a fan of Jane Austen rewrites but these two are an exception.
And then when we came home I finally got around to reading an old Muriel Spark novel which has been on my shelves for years. And of course, I loved it. A Far Cry from Kensington is wonderfully quiet, matter-of-fact, gentle and yet clear-sighted. Mrs. Hawkins, the main character, is a delight to the reader. And the down-at-heel setting in 1950’s London at a respectable boarding house, as well as the publishing world where Mrs. Hawkins’ works as an editor, is so Barbara Pym-ish, how could I not love this book? I can’t remember when I bought the book, or why I never read it. But a recent podcast on Slightly Foxed about Muriel Spark jogged my memory and I dug it out of the back of my book shelves. I’m so glad I did.
I have also just recently acquired the newest Dervla McTiernan, Cormac Reilly, mystery called The Unquiet Grave. I’m listening to it and enjoying it very much. Narrated by the excellent Aoife McMahon, this Irish mystery series which began with The Ruin is one of my favourites. As is the Robert Galbraith/ Cormorant Strike series. The Hallmarked Man, Galbraith’s newest, narrated by Robert Glenister, is sitting waiting in my audible queue. I’ve loved all the books in this series, and I’m looking forward to this latest one helping to pass the time on our long plane journeys later in the month.
In other book news, you may have heard about the controversial rulings made by the Alberta government, and in particular the city of Edmonton, about what kids can and can’t read in public schools. Handmaid’s Tale is of course on the “can’t read” list. Jeeze, I can’t believe this is happening. So un-Canadian. Margaret Atwood is not happy, as you may well imagine. Have a look at this piece she wrote on her Substack account. Pure Atwood. I love her. She’s a national treasure.
And then I saw this bit, below, on Facebook. Hilarious. And at the same time scarily not hilarious.
Now, on to other September things. My sister Carolyn has been with us this week. Hence the distractions. Good distractions, I should say. She drove up to see friends around the province, and visited us for a few days. We had lots of laughs. Hubby and she talked politics, and baseball. So nice for him to have someone else to talk to besides me. Nice for him. And for me. Ha.
Then she and I shopped. Although the shopping in Ottawa is not what it used to be, there are several offerings we have that Fredericton doesn’t have. We spent a day at the mall. She bought shoes. And some tops.
Mall shopping is sometimes necessary, but not always the best way to spend a day. So, the next day I showed her some of my favourite places.
We spent a delightful couple of hours at Bellwether’s Vintage. She bought a lovely bag and a beautiful green cashmere sweater there. I’m happy to say that she is as enamoured with the store as I am. And with the staff. There was much yakking. Much oohing and ahhing, and talking about clothes. This was an adventure for Carolyn. She’d never been vintage shopping before.
Then later we strolled down Bank Street in the Glebe, and she found some sweet earrings at Magpie Jewellery. And then we had a delicious lunch at Cantina Gia. Sigh. All in all a great day.
So. Now that the sisterly distraction has gone back to Fredericton, there’s nothing standing between me and getting my act together this week. The to do list of September things will reign supreme. There are jobs to complete, plans to finalize, tickets and confirmations to be printed and compiled. Of course we have digital copies of everything, but nothing helps our peace of mind like a hard copy. And then I have to plan my packing, pack, and, well, you know the drill.
It’s all good, though. I’m happy to be shifting into gear. As I always am come September. September is a shifting into gear kind of month, don’t you think?
How is your September shaping up, my friends?
38 thoughts on “Reading and Other September Things”
How wonderful to have a few days with your sister and now an exciting trip to get ready for. Thanks for the book recommendations, they are always appreciated. Fifty-five years ago, or so, my husband and I enjoyed reading books about robots and humans written in the 1950s and 60s by Robert Heinlein and Issac Asimov. I wonder how they hold up today. As for the books to be banned list, I have read all but “It”, and am a little afraid to read Stephen King. I will look for the Muriel Spark book instead.
Hope you like Muriel Spark, Marcie. 🙂
Where in Spain??? I hope I haven’t missed the details due to lack of attention on my part! I did my first trip to Spain last year and think I will always be especially fond of it as my first trip unaccompanied by family or my husband. I felt very accomplished and proud of myself. A good boost for my confidence.
So sorry to hear about the boon banning nonsense. So sorry some of the foodoo south of your border is getting through.
My husband and I are traveling north to Montreal and Quebec City next month for a milestone anniversary and people keep asking if we will come home. Yes, we will. Our home is here and we won’t give up easily.
A recommendation from one of my bookclubs is The Measure, by Nikki Erlick. I haven’t finished it yet, but it captures the sense of crisis I feel but with circumstances we have not and will not likely encounter. Yet it causes reflection on something we all can benefit by thinking about – how do we use our time and what really matters – regardless of what might or might not be going on in the world.
Okay -enough blah blah blah. Thank you for so faithfully sharing your thoughts and doings. I look forward to 10 pm-or-so Saturday nights.
I always wondered who read my posts on Saturday nights. 🙂
P.S. We’re heading for The Azores for a week and then to Spain for three weeks. Mostly the north coast and the mountains in the northeast. Probably more on that later.
I recently read the Frances Liardet books you recommended & enjoyed them so I’ll check out some of these you’ve listed . Quite an eclectic list today 😁
I also read Denzil Meyrick’s Last Orders , his final book as he died earlier in the year , always very sad to lose a favourite author as you lose all their wonderful characters too . A great final book though . Non fiction this time was Gardens of Stone by Stephen Grady . A true story of a boy’s time in the French resistance during ww2 . I loved this book . Another non fiction, Where Shall We Run To by Alan Garner . A beautifully written memoir of childhood in a village near Manchester in the 1930s & 40s . Although written by an adult he managed to have the voice of a child . I loved this book too . And now , I’ve finally got round to Ann Cleeves & Vera . It’s taken me a while as I didn’t warm to the character in the TV series so didn’t watch many . I’m often disappointed in screen adaptations – not enough depth & Vera is a very deep character . I’m on book three now & really enjoying myself .
I’m packing too but only for a week to an old town called Shrewsbury , not nearly as exciting as your trip .
I’m happy you liked the Frances Liardet books, Wendy. I didn’t know you’d not read the Vera mysteries. The books are much better than the TV series, I think. I’ve not heard of Denzil Meyrick. I must look for him. I can’t always find some of the books you recommend. So disappointing, that. I’m still waiting for The List of Suspicious Things to get here in e-book form. Speaking of authors we’ve lost, Stu and I are watching the Dalziel and Pascoe series on Britbox from the very beginning and really enjoying them. Again.
Yes to the confusion of two states and also to lists. Half of me is quite confident that all will go well, the other is fretting about…nonsense. I have lists that are being ticked off including, today: go to tip and go out to lunch. As for reading, most of my books are in a large pile to be packed and I have put a few aside for the next weeks but actually settling to them is tricky. However, I am re-reading, in short bursts, The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier, first read almost 50 years ago. I still find it gripping. And when all else fails, I watch classic Miss Marples on BBC – beautifully acted, no rush and fuss and unnecessary disrobing for explicit shenanigans, faithful to the books. I look forward to your Spanish exploits. That isn’t a euphemism, btw.
I am very fond of The House on the Strand. Yes it’s gripping and it’s fascinating.
The House on the Strand is one of my all-time favorites as well! Thank you for the many interesting books to add to my list! I requested an interlibrary loan for Bad Juliet, maybe because it’s newly published. I already have quite a few library books checked out, some overdue and making feel a bit guilty for holding on to them. My group’s current book club selection isn’t great, and is slowing me down when there are others I’d rather be reading.
As Annie said above, “Half of me is quite confident that all will go well, the other is fretting …” about our collective future. Tough to concentrate on anything most days.
We’ve been watching old Marples too. No unnecessary disrobing….love that. Although there is gratuitous knitting. 🙂
We’re off to Provence in 8 days, so I feel your lists panic. We’re driving (stopping in Basque Country along the way), so it would be easy to overpack, but I’m trying not to! Plus, there’s a Sezane store in Aix, and there will be a bit of shopping there, I imagine. 😉 And then there’s the weather – warm (hot) days and cool nights, so layers, but not too much… really, I feel your pain!
I’ve been re-reading the Charles Todd Inspector Rutledge series after not reading one since maybe before COVID? Before that it was M.L. Longworth’s Provençal mystery series, which was excellent “research” for the trip (and again, I hadn’t read in quite some time). Ah, the joys of re-reading!
Doing one’s travel research can be fun, eh? We watched Murder in Provence earlier in the summer and loved it. Good luck trying to resist the offerings at that Sézane store.
I always check out your book suggestions because you and I same to like similar books. Bad Juliet is one I will read and recommend to my brother (Edward Kanze), who is a nature writer and guide in Saranac Lake. He has reported the absence of Canadians in his area this year and doesn’t blame you all one bit! Thanks, Sue. You have greatly improved my reading life!
I’ve been wondering about the impact of Canadians not travelling to the US. Hope you like Bad Juliet, Maggie.
Sue,I’m with you, regarding procrastinations and distractions, I’m having lists,doing things but not as much as I should
I’ve read Annie Bot and will copy and paste my former review here (what to say,lazy….):
“…a dystopian,provocative novel,seems light but it is a food for thought. Annie is a “perfect girlfriend”, created for her human owner Doug. Complex and complicated….How a person would treat a partner who is ….a thing? A pet? A partner you could control,punish,to buy and programme to be obedient,sexy,humiliated,grateful…..so,one could feel “macho”,powerful,satisfied…”
Will check Giles Blunt’s books,as well as Colleen McCullough’s and Muriel Spark’s
I’ve read M.W.Craven’s newest (but phew…not actually the last,there will be more!) Poe and Bradshow novel, The Final Vow
Loved The Unquiet Grave,The Hallmarked Man is waiting…
Looking forward to your Spain plans and stories
Dottoressa
Thanks for that reassurance, K!! I was worried that Tilly and Poe (or Poe and Tilly?) were getting ready for a swan song. . .
I can’t find M.W. Craven’s books at the library. But with both you and Frances recommending, I’ll probably buy them 🙂
I couldn’t put that darned “bot” book down. I was totally drawn in.
Intrigued by the green cashmere sweater! Need to visit B’s again soon.
No comment on the mystery series since I haven’t yet read any, but I will bookmark these book recommendations for later.
I appreciate the link to Margaret Atwood’s substack post. She is indeed a national treasure. I used to think she was too snarky – cutting intellectually weaker interviewers down to size – but I tend to see her now as generally right about everything. I wish I understood Alberta better. It feels like another planet to me, even though I’ve been there a few times and have an uncle in Calgary (who undoubtedly moved there for the lower taxes). During the pandemic more affordable housing there attracted more diversity (plus Edmonton itself I always thought was fairly diverse). Calgary had a muslin mayor and their current mayor has a Phd in sociology and was born in India. I keep on thinking it is eventually going to move away from that American-replica social conservatism/republicanism that feels so alien to me as a socially left person who grew up in multicultural Toronto with a rainbow of people and whose godfather her mother chose a gay man. Is the antipathy in AB still all about resentments from the energy policies of Trud3au Sr? Is it really all propped up by a gross misrepresentation/misunderstanding of how equalization actually works? Is it about the American settlers who came up to settle in the southern part of the province or the oil people from Texas? Is it simply religious conservatism? Is this what explains the bizarre vaccination trends? Is it really just all about oil full stop? Is it simply about being a minority (12% of the p0pulation) and not getting their way (although they had Stephen Harper in recent memory). I should spend some time there to try to understand as I’m sure it’s all in the data, as it always is…I found it very interesting that Margaret Atwood notes, to my surprise, that they have the most readers per capita (or read the most), but not sure what metric she is using to determine this. What are they reading? I’d like to know!
Bellwether’s had a burnt orange, short-sleeved, angora sweater with a tie at the neck. It was so adorable. Made me sad that I can’t wear orange anymore.
I’m with you on what the heck is with Alberta politics. So many contradictions. I don’t ask my step-brother who has lived there since the eighties. We’ve agreed to not talk politics. Ha.
ooh adorable..I might have to check that out. I have a copper-coloured short-sleeved sweater on my knitting needles but haven’t managed to do much knitting lately. I’m not sure how great orange is on me either, but I can wear it to some extent!
I wish I understood better all of the things going on in Alberta. The book banning I don’t get at all, but I haven’t looked into it deeply. I also don’t dictate to others what they should think, or get into fights about it, but I do wish I understood better. My uncle moved out there and promptly became friends with Ralph Kl3in of all people (in the nineties I guess it must have been).
Ah, yes, Mr K. Or as my husband calls him Mr.”Shoot, Shovel, and Shut-up.” 🙂
Usually when I check with our huge regional public library for Canadian authors you recommend I am disappointed, but this time I am pleased to report that they do have the Giles Blunt Cardinal series, the first couple of which I now have on hold! We are going to Maine for our annual fall color visit and so I am making lists too. You’d think with an annual trip that wouldn’t be such a project but somehow it always is.
Ceci
I hear you. I usually pack stuff that I don’t wear once I get down east. I suddenly become a whole other person somehow. Ha.
Well, I will try one more time. My comments keep disappearing so this one will be shorter.
It was good to read that your sister finally got to enjoy vintage/consignment shopping. There are so many thing in these shops that will give a one of a kind look in a new mix.
I really cannot comment on book banning or I might explode on the page.
As for reading, I discovered a new to me author recently and am hooked. It is Robert Rotenburg, a Toronto writer/ lawyer that has put out a 4 book series a few years ago. They start with Old City Hall and each one surrounds a murder with the homicide detective Ari Greene on the case. The setting is Toronto with lots of the local landscape in the city. Ari was very addictive as a caring and compassionate, well dressed investigator.
Good luck with all your preparations for your amazing sounding trip
Sorry about that comment issue, Diane. I can offer no advice, sadly.
Rotenburg’s books are really good. I enjoyed Old City Hall.
Nothing at all to do with recent columns, but I would love to find your column – maybe last year? – on skin care. As I recall, you wrote about Dr. Jart’s Ceramidin cream, and how you had learned to pat it onto your face instead of rubbing it in. I can’t find it on your website. But it can also wait until your Spain prep is underway, so don’t sweat it! Thank you very much. P.S. The banned books list is hilariouscary.
I think it may have been a video, Susan. But I will look for it.
Seconding the Giles Blunt recommendation, with thanks for the tip on Bad Juliet! I may have to reread the Cardinal series, as it’s been many years for me also.
I can’t recall whether anyone in your orbit has recommended Chloe Dalton’s Raising Hare. It was such a lovely memoir, full of beautifully written observations of the natural world and animal behaviour.
All the best with your preparations for Spain. Given how organized you clearly are, I’m sure it will go well once you’re stuck in!
I did read Raising Hare earlier this summer. It was lovely.
Thank you, Sue. You’re right, it was a video.
Hi again, Susan, Here’s the link to the last makeup/skincare video I did. It’s also about our bathroom renovations… the skincare starts at 6:16 with a get ready part, and at 10:17 the “discussion” starts. I don’t know if I mention Dr. Jart cream, though, although I still use it at night.
https://youtu.be/caBD6rmMEo4?si=ZheWuvKPISkQB9vg
I’ve recently been reminded how much I liked Giles Blunt’s early mysteries and then wondering why I haven’t kept up with them. So thank you for another reminder and the encouragement of your enthusiastic, halfway-through, review of his latest. I’ll have to rush right over to the VPL website to put it on Hold! (Just did, and not a moment too soon, already 42 people ahead of me for the 12 physical copies, and 16 for the 2 e-books! Yikes!)
And yes, I can absolutely relate to the co-existence of those two States of Mind, especially at this transitional period. You’re spot-on in your assessment of how they can co-exist: “Because both states of being are an illusion, that’s why.” So, so true, and so fascinating how convincingly we can frame both what we’re going through and how we respond to it. We have a trip planned for November, but/and for the last few weeks have been living through the disruption that is involved in having heat pumps hooked up through the walls of several rooms in our condo — holes cut and then repaired in drywall, painting still to happen, and everything in the way of those operations moved aside in “your guess is as good as mine” piles. Perfect excuse for not being able to do anything; equally perfect reason for panicking.
We’ve been battling water problems since March… a filter installed, new parts for the water heater, new water softener, and upcoming in November, an iron filter. Each addition has made some difference. We’re hoping the iron filter will work. Our little room in the basement where the sump pump and the well pump and now the filter and the water softener (bigger than our old one) live is getting very crammed. Lots of money down the drain… so to speak. But at least not much disruption, except men clomping up and down the basement stairs, and Stu worrying.
Glad you had a nice time with your sister. Your shopping trip sounds fun and productive. I hear you about distractions!
I’m off to Oz to visit my daughter and family which will be lovely as I haven’t seen her for two years and the grandchildren for four years. Like you, I should be getting packing underway but there always seems to be something else to deal with or think about. Biggest problem is the weather – spring can be a bit variable here. Not sure if it says something about my priorities but I have sorted out shoes and handbag to take!
Thanks for all your book suggestions. I will download a few of them to read while I’m away – if I get time for reading with two lively and busy preteens. So far I have two concerts, a grandparents day, a netball final and an athletics final to attend. This doesn’t include all the afternoon teas I owe them for doing well at school, sport, music and dance. I might come home a size bigger!
All those sports events and grandparents days will be fun. Not to mention al the teas. You can always read on the plane home. 🙂
if you get the chance go to Besalu and the area around it. stunning scenery and medieval buildings. my husband are `i were taken there by a spanish colleague of his and it was incredible.
I agree , Besalu is wonderful .
Thanks for the suggestion, Noreen. 🙂
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