Book Review: On Agate Hill by Lee Smith

On Agate Hill by Lee Smith follows the life of Molly Petree from the age of thirteen until her death as an "old woman" of 68. It is a depressing tale of loss and more loss and then more loss. I thought at some point there would be a glimmer of hope, but really, there wasn't.

Smith's books tend to be more dark than I like to read these days, but On Agate Hill was particularly so. After the lackluster The Last Girls, I'm not sure I'm excited or looking forward to reading more Smith books. Her early works, Fair and Tender Ladies particularly, while sad, had a wrangle-hold on life and love and the characters were trying very hard to make their lives better. Molly, however, really just floats along without much volition or course in life.

While I wanted to like the book, finding it a little like Fair and Tender Ladies in the diary and letter aspect, I didn't find Molly as compelling a character. I just didn't care what happened to her. Which was sad.

The book got good reviews on amazon.com, from die-hard Lee Smith fans and others alike, so maybe I just missed something. But, for me, there was just a polish or finish on the book that wasn't there.

Finally

After over a week of feeling like crud, I can say that I actually feel better today. Still don't have my voice totally and there's a cough threatening to come through every now and again, but I have energy, curiosity about the world...a desire to bake. Life is good. Still missing my quilt bee family, though!

The Quilt Bee Quilt

Still without a name, this year's quilt bee quilt was unveiled last night at the home of Doreen Fisher. I was present by phone. It is made using 12 handwoven squares alternating with a golden sun batik and the outside border is a purple background and multi-colored hearts batik. It will be quilted using a sampler of stencils in the gold squares and simple straight lines for the outside border. The handwoven squares will be tied using a gold cotton yarn.

I miss y'all!

Up and At 'em!

Well, I made it to work this morning. This has been the strangest bug...exhausted tired for several days (that's where David is right now), then the scratchy throat sets in, not bad but irritating. Then the rest of it gets full-flight. I'm still in the awful cough stage, which means I'm not sleeping well, but the pharmacist did recommend a good cough syrup so I got some sleep, but not enough. Hopefully this weekend will do me good.

Have a wonderful quilt bee, my quilt bee family. Wishing I could be there with you!

Sad...

Sad to be missing the quilt bee this year, but at least I'll BEE there in spirit as my quilt has arrived and will BEE quilted by my wonderful BEE family.

ugh again...

Ear Infection...

ugh!

SO TIRED!!!

Fun Times in NOLA

We had a terrific time in New Orleans with our friends, Bill and Catherine Sisson. I swear we ate ourselves silly:
*Dinner Friday night at Antoines (our group opinion, overpriced but good New Orleans mainstay)
*Breakfast Saturday morning at Stanley's on Jackson Square (great down-home food)
*Lunch Saturday afternoon at Lilette on Magazine (VERY tasty. I can't wait to go back).
*Dinner Saturday night at Bayonna on Dauphine in the French Quarter (never disappoints, and amazes me everytime I go at how terrific everything is prepared)
*Brunch Sunday morning at Mr. B's Bistro on Royal Street in the French Quarter (always dependably good, though the service was a little disappointing)
*Dessert after Sunday brunch at the Redfish Grill on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter (rich, chocolately and divine!)

I almost felt that I was in a food-induced coma or hangover last night. Yum yummy yum!

And the conversation was terrific too! Can't wait to get together with the Sissons again!

yea!!!

It's off to New Orleans we go to visit with our friends, the Sissons! Hope to have a few pictures on Monday.

Book Review: Devil of the Highlands by Lynsay Sands

Devil of the Highlands is a fun romance that pits Evelinde against the "devil of dunairrach" (misspelled I know but I don't have the book with me), Cullen Duncan. Their marriage has been arranged by her evil stepmother in the hopes of making Evelinde's life miserable, but the opposite is quite true, as the nickname "devil" doesn't really aplly to Cullen since he's really quite considerate and sweet, just doesn't talk much.

The conflict involves several "accidents" that are happening to Evelinde that if successful would have ended in her death. The latter half of the book does a great job of developing the mystery and revealing the attempted murderer without feeling trite or rushed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I found Evelinde's character to be rather charming and funny and enjoyed her growth through the novel. Looking forward to reading another novel by Sands (though I won't read her vampire stuff...I just don't get into vampires).

Highly recommended for romance readers.

Book Review: Gourmet Rhapsody by Muriel Barbery

Having absolutely loved The Elegance of the Hedgehog, I was very excited to see Gourmet Rhapsody by Muriel Barbery. It tells the story of Pierre Arthens as he is dying. Every other chapter is from a different person's perspective, the other chapters are from Pierre's perspective as he is remembering his life and seeking out that "flavor" which is the essence of living for him.

It's a slim novel, without the difficult passages that many people found troublesome in "Elegance" but, to me, it was also without the depth of character and development that "Elegance" brought forth. I truly cared deeply about the characters in Elegance, but didn't really about the characters in Gourmet...perhaps that's because I got such a brief view of each of them except for Pierre, and he really is an unlikeable character.

I did find it an enjoyable read even so and recommend it. Especially to those who like reading books about food.

That was a nail-biter!

I finished the quilt bee top today. I'm so happy...was worried it wasn't going to get done, but now I have a wonderful quilt that one of two lucky ladies will own in a couple of weeks!

Book Review: Desperate Duchesses by Eloisa James

I parse out James slowly because one day I'll be out of her books and then I'll be so sad...I absolutely love her books and Desperate Duchesses was not disappointing.

Desperate Duchesses sets up the series of 6 books that is known as the Desperate Duchesses series. In this story we get to know Jemma and her duke, Elijah Beaumont. While they are the main titular characters of the story, Roberta and Jemma's brother Damon are the main love interests. (I think Jemma and Elijah's story is simply too complicated to deal with in this book.)

Roberta's father, the Mad Marquis, embarrasses her with his overly expressive emotions and flamboyant mistresses. Roberta desires to marry the Duke of Villiers after seeing him at a party and realizing that he will not ever display any excessive emotions. Roberta finally goes to London in search of marrying Villiers and shows up at her far-distant cousin, Jemma's, house and from there partakes in a game of love and learning that leaves her heart captured quite by surprise.

James is a wonderful writer, and her characters are lively and ever-so-much-fun. I always miss them when I'm finished and have a very hard time not going back and picking up the next one to read...patience is a virtue, even with romance novels :)

Highly recommended.