This week I finiahed a GREAT book:
I absolutely loved the writing, the setting, the way the characters developed… and the penultimate chapter was brilliant (“round up the usual suspects!”) The last chapter was slightly confusing- I mean, I was pretty sure I knew what was happening, but I was wondering why that was happening as opposed to what I THOUGHT was going to happen.
I googled it, and found a spirited discussion on Goodreads. People had all sorts of theories about what the ending means, and cited details from earlier chapters of the book to support them. The ambiguous ending definitely worked, and I think the passionate debate is the sign of a great book.
After I finished the book I listened to this podcast, where James Altucher interviewed Amor Towles. It was really interesting to hear about his writing process. They mostly talked about Rules of Civility and Gentleman in Moscow (and, interesting detail- a character From Rules makes an appearance in Gentleman!) I’ll eventually read Towles’ other books, but right now I’m following my rule of not repeating authors (just for now, because there are so many books I want to read.)
Next up was this mystery, recommended by Lindsay::
I’m ALMOST DONE, and I really like it. I love the setting, the story, and the main character. Ruth Galloway is an archaeologist who gets involved in a police investigation. One of the things I especially like is that Ruth weighs “twelve and a half stone.” I had to look it up- a “stone” is equal to 14 pounds. Every book I read seems to have a female main character who happens to be slender and pretty- It’s refreshing to read a book where the main character is a strong, confident woman who isn’t conventionally attractive.
Let’s talk about eating! There isn’t a lot to report, but I made these chai-spiced teff waffles. on Mother’s Day. They were good! In honor of the day, I drank out of my Baylor Mom mug.
By the way, I’ve decided that my husband is officially “holiday blind.” He put that cloth on the table, and didn’t understand what made it autumnal. Um… the colors? The fact that there are leaves on it? Sigh. Well, I shouldn’t be surprised- here’s how he wrapped my Mother’s Day present.
For dinner, he made pesto! You might remember that I’m trying to eat less pasta, so I tried to load my plate up with salad and roasted vegetables. I couldn’t resist a piece of bread though. (I also HAD to change that tablecloth!)
Have you read anything by Amor Towles?
Did you make a special brunch or dinner for Mother’s Day?
21 Responses
I’m adding Gentleman to my TBR. I’m almost done with Lucy by the Sea and I’m not sure what’s next. Probably a mystery and then something more serious.
Well yes your husband *might* have some holiday blindness, but at least he picked your favorite season for the tablecloth. And yum for pesto pasta for dinner!
Yes, I guess there are worse things! A little reminder of fall in May isn’t so bad.
Your dinner looks great! I laughed at the wrapping paper. Well, Christmas is your favourite time of year, so…maybe appropriate?
Yes, you could look at it that way, although I’m pretty sure that’s not what he was thinking : )
I laughed – like out loud – over the wrapping paper. My husband has wrapped my Christmas paper in wedding paper before and did not clue in at all it wasn’t thematically appropriate. Not to mention WE’VE BEEN MARRIED WELL OVER A DECADE.
I loved A Gentleman in Moscow, liked The Lincoln Highway, and didn’t finish Rules of Civility! So a mixed bag for me, but AGIM is such an epic book. I was a bit disappointed by the ending because I do not like ambiguity, but the book was so rich and layered, I’ve overlooked this quibble and likely would classify it as my favourite work of modern fiction?
I agree, I don’t usually like ambiguity. I’ve gotten around this one by deciding in my mind what happens AFTER the official ending of the book. Interesting that you didn’t like the other two novels- at some point I’ll try them and see. Btw a lot of people were disappointed by the ending of Gentleman, it seems.
That’s funny about your husband- I’m sure he, and my husband, were just thinking “oh here’s wrapping paper” without paying attention to what it looks like???
I love pesto pasta! I think I prefer pesto to red sauce on my pasta, and your husband did a great job making dinner.
I’m totally laughing at how he wrapped your present and decorated the table! At least he tried?
Yes! He definitely tried! And to him, it didn’t matter what season those things were for- but then I’ve also caught him drinking out of a Christmas mug in the middle fo the summer (no! Wrong!!!)
That wrapping paper made me giggle. AND I used that same wrapping paper at some point! I love the idea of being holiday-blind, HA.
I read Rules of Civility by Amor Towles and really liked it. I listened to the audiobook, so maybe I should give Gentleman a try and do the audio.
Pesto pasta is one of my favorite things!
People seem to like Gentleman even more than Rules, so I think you would probably like it!
I read Lincoln Highway by Towles and it was fine. I’ve read Rules of Civility three times and each time it’s like reading a brand new book because it’s forgettable (I read it once when I was basically stoned because I had a broken leg, a read it a year later because I thought maybe I should read it when I wasn’t under the influence of pain medications, and then I read it for book club many years after that). I hesitate to read A Gentleman in Moscow because I feel like maybe this isn’t an author for me.
In my husband’s family, we always use inappropriate gift wrapping and bags for the season. When my SIL and BIL had their first child, they used the “It’s a Boy” gift bags for every holiday – birthdays, Christmas, baptisms – for at least a year. LOL.
Ha ha, my husband would fit right in.
And, when you said you read Rules three times I at first thought “Wow, she really liked it!” Ha… guess not.
I LOVED A Gentleman in Moscow. I found it so delightful. His quirky comments and the sort of aphorisms mixed in with the regular story were so clever and just hit the mark for me. I have never read any of this other books, though I would like! I am pretty sure I heard a movie version of A Gentleman in Moscow is in the works? I am excited for that! (Even though I know the movie versions are never as good, but still- it will be fun and I will definitely do a movie theater visit for that one.)
I think it’s a TV series, and it’s already out. They talked about it in the interview and Towles said he thought they did a great job- so maybe it’s good? I agree, I don’t think screen versions are ever as good.
You’re right- now that you say that, I think I saw it advertised on a TV guide type thing, not a movie. I’ll have to look for it! (I would have loved to see a full blown Hollywood movie version of it, like in the theater and everything!) But a series sounds intriguing too.
“Holiday blind”!!! hahahaha!
I have not read any Amor Towles, but everyone seems to love his books.
My oldest made french toast for Mother’s day. Though the middle child was upset that he didn’t get to help. Then the Husband and I went out for dinner at a new Thai restaurant that was quite tasty and different from the usual Thai fare. I’m sure I will not always feel this way, but Mother’s Day without the kids is kind of nice.
Diane, it’s funny you say that because I think a lot of women struggle with their idea of what THEY would like for Mother’s Day, and what the rest of the family wants… somehow it’s never really about the mother??? Oh well.
Oh wow you husband IS holiday blind!! That is actually pretty funny. I am trying to imagine not realizing how out of season that table cloth is! And the wrapping paper! But it prob made you laugh a bit.
I hope your long run went well today! And that it makes you feel excited and ready for the big race!!
I’m reading a lighter book now called ‘the lonely hearts book club’. It has heavier undertones but is a fast read. Next I am going to read ‘Trust’ which is kind of about the finance industry? Or it features prominently? Another coworker told me about it and I am finally getting around to it. I have read 2 Towles books. I didn’t love either? I liked them but did not love them and felt like I missed something…
Interesting that you read two books by Towles! What made you decide to read the second one? People seem to be divided on this author and it sounds like he just isn’t for you.
I got through the long run but it was HARD! I am getting excited about the race though.
I read the first one (Rules of Civility) because my college friend who has great taste in books raved about it. I liked it but didn’t love it! And then so many people were raving about A Gentleman in Moscow that I felt like I had to see what all the buzz was about. I did love the Count character but I think he’s probably not the author for me!
Yay for having that last long run behind you!!
Yay for Ruth Galloway! I am reading everything else I can because I don’t want the series to be over. Same with the Shetland mysteries. I need to savor series more. We did not cook or bake this Mother’s Day and it was glorious, haha! Fun donuts for breakfast, snack plate lunches, and then pizza for dinner. All wins in my book!