pickThe 4th book about Lucy Barton
This one is about the pandemic. It‘s starts just before everything closed down, and Lucy ex-husband, William, understands where this is going. So he gets himself and Lucy out of NYC and tell their daughters to do the same. They move to Maine, and a new life here with walks, meet now people and face hostilities for being New Yorkers.
This was a very true portrait of the pandemic years
pickA thought experiment about a future pandemic provides the framework for this book, which examines the lessons and mistakes of the COVID pandemic while outlining policies and planning that could mitigate the impact of a novel virus. Osterholm speaks authoritatively while recommending clear communication about what can and can't be known. The current administration's haphazard and devastating cuts make this level of preparation impossible to imagine
pickThis is ostensibly about the next pandemic, the one that, as bad as COVID was, will be even worse. But really, it‘s about looking back at the COVID pandemic to parse everything we got wrong (which was a lot) and learn from that in the hopes of being more prepared next time. The author is an epidemiologist and therefore well situated to address this. It‘s good nerdy science for those like me who like that kind of thing. 😬
In September, I read a lot of ecru-colored books with waves on the cover. It‘s a vibe.
My favorites this month were Night Swimmers and Sleep (and Tuck, of course, but that‘s old news). I continued my HMRC (Her Majesty‘s Royal Coven) obsession and saw it through to the bitter (or sweet? No spoilers here!) end.
#AWreads2025
#personalreadingtracker
pickA man grieving the death of his infant daughter & the dissolution of his marriage rents a seaside cottage in Northern Ireland — just for a week, to give his wife some space until she can stand to look at him again. Then, COVID hits. A week becomes much longer. He goes nowhere, which turns out to be exactly what he needs.
Eventually, his 8 year-old son joins him. And nowhere is exactly what Luca — deaf, misunderstood, & lonely — needs, too.👇🏻
I have a new seagull friend. It‘s been hanging out with me for the better part of an hour, just a step away from the edge of my blanket. It slowly circled me and has now snuggled down and gotten cozy. Bud‘s got two different colored eyes.
Do you think it‘s a spirit bird with a message for me or is it sizing me up and I‘m actually in trouble?
…Only time will tell!
pickMostly measured and sensible, though often defensive. I think she downplays the risks of long COVID too much, particularly in the afterword, and she didn't foresee the rapid end of vaccination campaigns and the ridiculous prices of vaccines for those of us who don't fit into the UK government's narrowly defined categories.
so-soThis one is tough to rate, I keep bouncing back and forth between pick and so-so. I loved much of this book, the sense of found family, finding community and healing after trauma, and the beautiful healing power of nature and the sea. But some things were just so frustrating, they take away from my enjoyment. And in the end the frustration wins out. I'll put further thoughts in the comments under spoiler warnings!
Greetings from the house of sickness!
My son went on a school trip and the gift he brought home was Covid. None of us have had it before, but we're all fully vaxxed and boostered, so it isn't *too* terrible.
I committed to entirely too many things this month. I finished the May book for #bobwhitebuddies so I'm only a book behind. I did manage to finish this month's reading for #europacollective and #KLBR. I'm behind on #beyondtheyellowbrickroad.
pickWhen COVID lockdown forces Evan to extend his coastal getaway it becomes the catalyst for him to stop drifting around mired in misery. He begins to relate to others, and starts to face the traumas that haunt him and look towards the future. His stay also impacts the town eccentric, Grace,who hates tourists but finds herself opening her life up to Evan. Grief, forgiveness, and hope run through this taut book. Touching without being sentimental.
