It goes without fail if I am in a lousy mood and I come upon your video's my mood is instantly lifted. Always with good books to review, infectious laughter, a fair amount of goofiness and charming banter. Now taking a break to play with the cat. You are the best.
I’m glad it was a good reading month but sorry about the exercise troubles. I’ve heard Amsterdam is great for walking. Well, if you’re not rolling suitcases 😂😂😂 (or so I’ve heard).
Amsterdam is great for walking when it's not dark, windy, or rainy...so any time that's not winter, basically! My husband and I refer to the people with their suitcases as "The Rollers." They'll be back here in force in a month or two.
I’ve never heard of any of these before, but they all sound really interesting, especially Collected Works. I hope February turns out to be an amazing reading month for you. 📚✨I love that you paused the video to play with the cat lol. :-)
I read The Magic Mountain a couple of years ago over about six weeks and was so glad I stuck with it. But I think you have to be in the mood, definitely. I like the longer days as they slowly emerge. I've got to get to Collected Works; the FOMO is building.
Yes, Collected Works! Do it! I wish the longer days slowly emerged here. By April it will be light as late here as it would be at peak summer in Atlanta (and light SO early). That was difficult to get used to my first couple of years here, especially when it's light past 9 PM but still cold out.
Hoo boy, I am right there with you on the fitness. In my last six months in Singapore, I was out the door every morning at 5:45 for a long walk (while I listened to an audiobook), and when I got back home I did some resistance training and ate a healthy, high protein breakfast. Then in the evening I'd go for another 3 mile walk along the seaside. I was in excellent shape, strong for the first time in my life, and enjoying movement so much. Fast forward to now, and well . . . it's not the same. It's cold and dark here in Wisconsin and it's been too cold to go outside. I have a little treadmill but staring out the window is not the same as being outside along the sea, seeing monkey sand tropical birds, spotting butterflies and flowers or sea turtles and jelly fish. Urf.
Heather, that's quite an adjustment! Dark and cold are not motivators. I wouldn't mind a treadmill but it's too noisy for my flat, and like you I'd prefer to be outside, anyway. Although I am a long way from sand and tropical birds and butterflies and sea turtles--that just sounds heavenly.
The joy of it still being light at almost six o'clock :) Here in Iceland, we are still in the "joy of it still being light at five o'clock" period, but the longer days are slowly creeping towards us. Love you videos :)
The strange thing is, I don't mind the darkness, but I'm always amazed how fast it gets light again here after the holidays. By April we'll be light as late as it gets mid-summer in the States, and it just amazes me! Of course, you'll be so much lighter there, too.
I found what you said about maintaining an exercise routine to be so relatable. It's so hard to fit everything into the day sometimes so I hope you're being gentle on yourself in that regard, Priscilla. I had never heard of Lydia Sandgren before now but I'm definitely going to look up Collected Works. Sounds great 😊
Aisling, I've definitely learned that overdoing it is almost worse than not doing anything at all. I hope you'll let me know if you read Collected Works!
Hi Priscilla, don’t worry about the lights. You are the evening reader.😊 i’m thinking of reading the magic mountain by Thomas Mann, maybe, I’ll listen to it on audio, I’m always entertained by your videos. Aloha friend.
Maya, please forgive my slow response! Ha, true, I suppose I could consider the lack of light a theme! It sounds like The Magic Mountain on audio could work...let me know if you try it!
Heather, I actually love it when the days get darker. This was the first year it made me feel a little out of sorts. The thing that gets me is that it gets light here very fast, and the long days of sunlight were difficult to adjust to my first years.
I’m glad you joined us for the 84 Charing Cross Road and yes, it was Anne Bancroft. (I did think she was a bit too glamorous for the role, tbh, but she did a great job as Helene.) I really enjoyed A Horse at Night when I read it. You’ve made me curious of the Sandgren! I’ve never hear of her. Thanks for that introduction.
Yes, Anne Bancroft definitely had the right sort of spunk for Helene, but it's hard not to think of her as Mrs. Robinson or in her role in The Turning Point... I would love to hear your thoughts on Collected Works if you decide to pick it up!
Thanks, Renee! I think you were one of the first people I encountered to mention Collected Works. I checked Spotify, and I can listen to The Magic Mountain! I may have to give it a shot!
@@EveningReader , it’s funny because abuse I’m not an audiobook listener anymore. But this edition I’m listening to is narrated by a David Ri foul and I love it. I have 20 hrs left out of 36! I’m slow listening.
I am also reading If on a Winter's Night a Traveler this month (carryover from last month). A Baron in the Trees by Italo Calvino is one of my all-time favorites (from my 20s) so looking forward to reading it ... and hearing your thoughts!
I never read the Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann, only Buddenbrooks which I have good memories of and want to revisit! You are so right about the workout routine, I’m just starting to get back into one after a huuge break! Why is it so hard to get over yourself 😂
I have a copy of *Collected Works* on order! Hope I like it as much as everyone else seems to! I just reread *If on a winter's night a traveler* in December - it's an all time favorite of mine, enjoy! Oh, and if you're not completely overbooked with readalongs, Classics & Company is having a *Magic Mountain* readalong in July.☺
Collected Works has been on my "should I buy it" list for awhile and you've answered my question. When it happens it's your fault. Sorry you didn't like Conviction as much as I did, oh well. 84 Charing Cross Road is a timeless pleasure.
I stand ready to take the blame for you buying Collected Works, and also all the thanks and credit when you love it. There were things I really liked about Conviction, but in the end I just felt like it was trying to do too many things at once. I liked her writing, though. Have you read any of her other series?
I bought Collected Works immediately after seeing your Instagram post. Such a vouch of approval! I noticed that you were reading The Bee Sting too. I'm 200 pages in. How're you finding it? Oh and Indelicacy by Amina Cain is excellent and think you will love after reading her book on writing. Bonus is that it's very short too!
I hope you love Collected Works! I did start reading The Bee Sting but I set it aside to focus on buddy reads...it was difficult to put down. I was really loving it and hope to get back to it in April (seems so far way!). Thanks for the recommendation for Indelicacy.
I wake up and exercise. If I do anything else, the exercise just won't happen. It kicks off my morning rituals. My husband will tell you I get really annoyed if my morning ritual is upset!
@@EveningReader The best words of encouragement I ever heard were something like "no one ever looks forward to a workout, but they always feel good after doing it." Its the best self care -physical and mental - out there.
I think you need to schedule a block of time.. say half an hour .. for exercise time. If it is scheduled you may be more likely to do it. Re: 84CCR: do you think there was a romantic connection between Helene and Frank? I didn’t get that from the books, but the movie seemed to portray the possibility. I read Conviction a few years ago. I agree it was “ok”! Her next book wasn’t good. Don’t bother with it. The main character is a Dr. Who behaves very unlike a doctor would and it undermines the whole book. I won’t read any more of her books.
Scheduling definitely helps. However, this time of year the weather frequently fails to cooperate with my schedule! But now the days are getting longer so I'll have more options for getting out and making it happen! Re 84CCR: no, definitely don't think there was any romantic connection. Kindred spirits, maybe, but no romance. I wonder if they played that up in the movie because they thought it would be too boring otherwise? What a shame if so! I've heard the same about the second Anna and Fin book, but I already have it so may read it anyway when I need something quick and easy. I didn't mind her writing so much as I thought there was just too much going on.
It goes without fail if I am in a lousy mood and I come upon your video's my mood is instantly lifted. Always with good books to review, infectious laughter, a fair amount of goofiness and charming banter. Now taking a break to play with the cat. You are the best.
That's so sweet, Marcia! And I think you've given me the title of my autobiography: A Fair Amount of Goofiness!
Yay for increased daylight hours! Hope your February reading is going well.
Thanks, Heidi!
Glad you liked Collected Works. It’s great. I didn’t catch all those Secret History connections.
It was so good. My rambling didn't do it justice. I am planning to re-read it in the fall, so maybe I can do another review...
@@EveningReader It is a difficult book to capture in a review.
I’m glad it was a good reading month but sorry about the exercise troubles. I’ve heard Amsterdam is great for walking. Well, if you’re not rolling suitcases 😂😂😂 (or so I’ve heard).
Amsterdam is great for walking when it's not dark, windy, or rainy...so any time that's not winter, basically! My husband and I refer to the people with their suitcases as "The Rollers." They'll be back here in force in a month or two.
I’ve never heard of any of these before, but they all sound really interesting, especially Collected Works. I hope February turns out to be an amazing reading month for you. 📚✨I love that you paused the video to play with the cat lol. :-)
You can tell who's the boss around here! I hope you are also having a lovely February, Farrah!
🥰 I’m excited!!
I read The Magic Mountain a couple of years ago over about six weeks and was so glad I stuck with it. But I think you have to be in the mood, definitely. I like the longer days as they slowly emerge. I've got to get to Collected Works; the FOMO is building.
Yes, Collected Works! Do it! I wish the longer days slowly emerged here. By April it will be light as late here as it would be at peak summer in Atlanta (and light SO early). That was difficult to get used to my first couple of years here, especially when it's light past 9 PM but still cold out.
Hoo boy, I am right there with you on the fitness. In my last six months in Singapore, I was out the door every morning at 5:45 for a long walk (while I listened to an audiobook), and when I got back home I did some resistance training and ate a healthy, high protein breakfast. Then in the evening I'd go for another 3 mile walk along the seaside. I was in excellent shape, strong for the first time in my life, and enjoying movement so much. Fast forward to now, and well . . . it's not the same. It's cold and dark here in Wisconsin and it's been too cold to go outside. I have a little treadmill but staring out the window is not the same as being outside along the sea, seeing monkey sand tropical birds, spotting butterflies and flowers or sea turtles and jelly fish. Urf.
Heather, that's quite an adjustment! Dark and cold are not motivators. I wouldn't mind a treadmill but it's too noisy for my flat, and like you I'd prefer to be outside, anyway. Although I am a long way from sand and tropical birds and butterflies and sea turtles--that just sounds heavenly.
@@EveningReader Hannah 😉
The joy of it still being light at almost six o'clock :) Here in Iceland, we are still in the "joy of it still being light at five o'clock" period, but the longer days are slowly creeping towards us. Love you videos :)
The strange thing is, I don't mind the darkness, but I'm always amazed how fast it gets light again here after the holidays. By April we'll be light as late as it gets mid-summer in the States, and it just amazes me! Of course, you'll be so much lighter there, too.
I found what you said about maintaining an exercise routine to be so relatable. It's so hard to fit everything into the day sometimes so I hope you're being gentle on yourself in that regard, Priscilla.
I had never heard of Lydia Sandgren before now but I'm definitely going to look up Collected Works. Sounds great 😊
Aisling, I've definitely learned that overdoing it is almost worse than not doing anything at all. I hope you'll let me know if you read Collected Works!
I read Bel Canto...yeesh, almost 20 years ago, and it still sticks with me! I probably should give it a re-read, but it was so beautiful!
Yes, 20 years since I first read Bel Canto as well...I was a bit nervous, but it held up beautifully!
Hi Priscilla, don’t worry about the lights. You are the evening reader.😊 i’m thinking of reading the magic mountain by Thomas Mann, maybe, I’ll listen to it on audio, I’m always entertained by your videos. Aloha friend.
Maya, please forgive my slow response! Ha, true, I suppose I could consider the lack of light a theme! It sounds like The Magic Mountain on audio could work...let me know if you try it!
I started reading Collected Works this morning so glad to hear you liked it. I love Helene Hanff.
I can't wait to hear what you think!
The winter darkness is such a downer
Heather, I actually love it when the days get darker. This was the first year it made me feel a little out of sorts. The thing that gets me is that it gets light here very fast, and the long days of sunlight were difficult to adjust to my first years.
I’m glad you joined us for the 84 Charing Cross Road and yes, it was Anne Bancroft. (I did think she was a bit too glamorous for the role, tbh, but she did a great job as Helene.) I really enjoyed A Horse at Night when I read it. You’ve made me curious of the Sandgren! I’ve never hear of her. Thanks for that introduction.
Yes, Anne Bancroft definitely had the right sort of spunk for Helene, but it's hard not to think of her as Mrs. Robinson or in her role in The Turning Point... I would love to hear your thoughts on Collected Works if you decide to pick it up!
I’m completely intimidated by Magic Mountain too, but Classics & Co. is tackling it this summer and I hope to participate in reading it then.
Ah, thanks for letting me know! I see they are also doing Les Mis in April. I wish I had known that sooner. I may try to join in August.
this was so much fun. I’m very slowly reading via audio The Magic Mountain. An excellent experience! I really do want to get to Collected Works!
Thanks, Renee! I think you were one of the first people I encountered to mention Collected Works. I checked Spotify, and I can listen to The Magic Mountain! I may have to give it a shot!
@@EveningReader , it’s funny because abuse I’m not an audiobook listener anymore. But this edition I’m listening to is narrated by a David Ri foul and I love it. I have 20 hrs left out of 36! I’m slow listening.
I am also reading If on a Winter's Night a Traveler this month (carryover from last month). A Baron in the Trees by Italo Calvino is one of my all-time favorites (from my 20s) so looking forward to reading it ... and hearing your thoughts!
This is my first Calvino. Funnily enough, I've owned my copy since my 20s...I just never got around to reading it until now.
I never read the Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann, only Buddenbrooks which I have good memories of and want to revisit!
You are so right about the workout routine, I’m just starting to get back into one after a huuge break! Why is it so hard to get over yourself 😂
Oh, if you figure it out, you must let me know! 😂
I have a copy of *Collected Works* on order! Hope I like it as much as everyone else seems to!
I just reread *If on a winter's night a traveler* in December - it's an all time favorite of mine, enjoy!
Oh, and if you're not completely overbooked with readalongs, Classics & Company is having a *Magic Mountain* readalong in July.☺
I hope you love Collected Works! I am hoping to re-read it again in the fall. I may try to join that readalong for The Magic Mountain!
Collected Works has been on my "should I buy it" list for awhile and you've answered my question. When it happens it's your fault. Sorry you didn't like Conviction as much as I did, oh well. 84 Charing Cross Road is a timeless pleasure.
I stand ready to take the blame for you buying Collected Works, and also all the thanks and credit when you love it. There were things I really liked about Conviction, but in the end I just felt like it was trying to do too many things at once. I liked her writing, though. Have you read any of her other series?
@@EveningReader Yes! I've read a bunch of Denise Mina. I especially like the Alex Morrow series.
I bought Collected Works immediately after seeing your Instagram post. Such a vouch of approval!
I noticed that you were reading The Bee Sting too. I'm 200 pages in. How're you finding it?
Oh and Indelicacy by Amina Cain is excellent and think you will love after reading her book on writing. Bonus is that it's very short too!
I hope you love Collected Works! I did start reading The Bee Sting but I set it aside to focus on buddy reads...it was difficult to put down. I was really loving it and hope to get back to it in April (seems so far way!). Thanks for the recommendation for Indelicacy.
I wake up and exercise. If I do anything else, the exercise just won't happen. It kicks off my morning rituals. My husband will tell you I get really annoyed if my morning ritual is upset!
Sarah, I know this works! I'm looking forward to the lighter mornings so I can get outside early and try to get it done.
@@EveningReader The best words of encouragement I ever heard were something like "no one ever looks forward to a workout, but they always feel good after doing it." Its the best self care -physical and mental - out there.
@@sarah-roadworthy So true.
I rather enjoyed Magic Mountain when I finally got around to it.
An endorsement I take seriously!
Hi, have I missed something? I haven’t been on your channel for a while. How did your Dutch exam go, did you pass your exams?
Hi Annie! I don't think you missed much...Thanks for asking about my exams. I passed them all!
@@EveningReader congratulations!
I think you need to schedule a block of time.. say half an hour .. for exercise time. If it is scheduled you may be more likely to do it. Re: 84CCR: do you think there was a romantic connection between Helene and Frank? I didn’t get that from the books, but the movie seemed to portray the possibility. I read Conviction a few years ago. I agree it was “ok”! Her next book wasn’t good. Don’t bother with it. The main character is a Dr. Who behaves very unlike a doctor would and it undermines the whole book. I won’t read any more of her books.
Scheduling definitely helps. However, this time of year the weather frequently fails to cooperate with my schedule! But now the days are getting longer so I'll have more options for getting out and making it happen! Re 84CCR: no, definitely don't think there was any romantic connection. Kindred spirits, maybe, but no romance. I wonder if they played that up in the movie because they thought it would be too boring otherwise? What a shame if so! I've heard the same about the second Anna and Fin book, but I already have it so may read it anyway when I need something quick and easy. I didn't mind her writing so much as I thought there was just too much going on.
You're a good cat mum.😺
Aw, thanks, MJ! I'm not sure Moxie would agree...that would mean standing by the food bowl and acting as a human cat feeder.
And the problem is what, exactly?🤣@@EveningReader
@@MJ-in-Canada 😂