Hello all! How have you been? It’s been three months since I posted here and I have no good excuse for my absence. Life just got in the way.
I did go to the UK for two weeks the first part of May and it was heavenly. Everything was so green and shining and the tulips, wisteria and bluebells were blooming in every garden I went to. I stayed in Manchester this trip and adventured around Northwest England, which I absolutely loved. It is gloriously beautiful and the people are so friendly and genuine. I visited some literary locations (Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, the Bronte Parsonage) – I’d love to share my impressions with you so I will plan some travelogue posts in the coming weeks.
This week I’ll be furiously preparing for the Sizzlin’ Summer Reads program I do at my library every year where I recommend my summer picks to library patrons. I’m really behind in making my PowerPoint, creating my handout and writing my blurbs so wish me luck getting it all done before Saturday!
Books finished this week:
Circe by Madeline Miller – I flew through this lyrical retelling of the story of Circe, a witch in Greek legend, who was apparently a “minor” goddess. Miller takes her scant story and turns it into a fierce tale of a woman living life on her own terms. I really enjoyed this take on a character from mythology who I didn’t know much about (not that I know much about mythology in general) just as much as I enjoyed The Song of Achilles, her debut novel.
This is the second book I’ve read from the Women’s Prize Shortlist – have you read any from the list? Any predictions on which book will win the prize this Wednesday?
Have a fantastic week!
A Certain Fondness 
It’s lovely to see you back and to hear that you had a great time in England – maybe Scotland the next time!
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I’m glad you enjoyed visiting the North West – I’ll look forward to hearing more about your trip! I read Circe last year and loved it. I think I preferred it to The Song of Achilles.
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It was lovely to see your post pop up on my reading list! I have had Circe from the library, twice I think, without managing to read it. I need to put it back on the list!
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Welcome back! I’m jealous of you getting to go to Manchester and that area — I’ve been to England a bunch of times, but only really to the South. And I’ve heard that people are really lovely in the North, and I know there’s a lot of beautiful country up there. Some day!
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