Bookish Chatter | Last Week in September

We’ve made it to the middle of the week and October is just around the corner. I hope you’re seeing some exciting signs of fall in your neck of the woods because cozy season has arrived here in New Hampshire! Today I’m sharing a couple of finished books, an update on the BIG book I’m reading, and another stack of books from the Free Items shelf on the library. And as usual — my coffee is hot and ready to go!

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FINISHED THIS WEEK:

Bronwyn and I finished the first Kirsten book this week. I’ve said it a few times, but she was my favorite American Girl when I was little because I loved anything to do with the prairie. She’s now the fourth AG that we’ve read together and she’s the first who’s opening book described her immigration to America. The previous three were all born here (Kaya in the Pacific Northwest, Felicity in Colonial Williamsburg, and Josefina in New Mexico). I was impressed that the author included such a difficult immigration story and I’m looking forward to reading more about her life on the prairie.

I just managed to squeeze in Thornyhold in the last couple of days. I try to return to it every September and this is at least my sixth time reading it. I feel like I’m boring everyone with my gushing about it but it’s just so cozy. Young Gilly inherits a cottage from her aunt, who everyone thinks is a witch. The village wonders if Gilly is also one? I love the images of Gilly cleaning up the cottage inside and out and making it her own. Putting the kettle on to boil, baking pies (which I eventually learned were savory supper pies and not sweet dessert ones), wrestling with an Aga, and learning to use her aunt’s herbal distillery. There’s also a small romance wrapped up in it all that is very sweet. I nearly decided to skip Thornyhold this year but am so glad that I didn’t!

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STILL READING:

I am still reading Lonesome Dove and am about 350 pages into it. I’m trying to read 3-4 chapters a day, but stalled over the weekend and earlier this week because of other things going on. The Hat Creek Cattle Company has set off on their cattle drive to Montana, and of course — they haven’t made it out of Texas yet. They just survived a big wind and lightening storm that came upon them overnight. There was a scene that described the lightening getting caught between the horns of the cattle and a blue light rolling from tip to tip. I’m not sure if that really happens, but it certainly added to the fear and uncertainty they must have experienced that night. McMurtry is a fabulous writer. Clearly I won’t finish this by the end of September and I’m nervous because I’m not good at juggling books. I like to start one and finish it before moving on to the next… but my stack of library books is really calling my name!

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SPEAKING OF THE LIBRARY

This was my opening picture but it’s worth sharing again. I snuck into the library on Monday to pick up a couple of holds (why am I still putting holds on books when I’m trying to finish Lonesome Dove? Well, it’s an illness.) As I was walking out the door, these books were on the Free Items shelf. Yes – they cleared out their Anne books, except for the first one. I turned back toward the desk and said (maybe a little rudely?), Seriously??! And the librarians said, yes. Help yourself. Well, dear friends: I scooped the entire row into my arms and ran out the doors as if I were stealing something, a very fast thank you! over my shoulder as I left.

I know I could have slowly collected the entire series from Goodwill over time if it’s something Bronwyn wanted to read in the future, but these were FREE and they MATCH. I love buying the same editions of similar books and how they look on the shelf together. Also – I love this library binding. It’s what I’m always looking for when I’m buying used books for the kids and so rarely find.

There are many jobs in the library that I would love to have and would be very good at, but being the person to clear out the shelves is not one of them. I can’t help but think of the one little girl who might be too shy to ask for an interlibrary loan, but who would love to read this series. Realistically, I’m probably the only person who has checked out these books in the last decade, but still. I can’t help but think that I’m stealing from her future. (I’m trying not to end on this note, but nothing encouraging or inspiring is coming to me.)

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I started this month by saying that even if I read less than ten books but met certain goals, then I would be very happy. Well, I certainly finished less than ten books AND I didn’t meet all of those goals, but I’m still quite happy. August was an amazing month of reading and it makes sense to slow down in September, especially given all of the challenges this month sent to me (starting a new homeschooling year and a streak of giardia through the house). I can’t wait to share a recap of my September reading with all of you in a few weeks.

I hope to be back on Friday with an update on our week. Until then – take good care.