One of those weeks. Is it true that angst can be funny?
Happy news- All the gym classes I wanted to get into happened.
Sad news- two of them were cancelled at the last minute.
Happy news- I got my laundry caught up.
Sad news- there were two tissues in a pocket of the dark load.
Happy news- After seeing a few new reviews I really want to read Stoner by John Williams again, as I rushed through it at first. When it was first published.
Sad news- I evidently moved it on and don’t have it.
Happy news- I went into Vinnies thrift shop to see if they had any funny cards, old magazines for junk journaling and there was Stoner right in front of me. I don’t think it has ever been cracked open.
This is how life goes isn’t it. I think I’m going to find the bestselling book the Let Them Method. I think a dash of self help might be what I need as I look forward to several events happening in February. Why does everything stop meeting end of November and not start again until February. Fullers author events, book clubs, photo clubs.
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But moving on here….it is time for randomly picking three books and choosing one from my shelves to start hiding in.
Spinning the wheel I came up with.
The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson.
Book 2 is The Long Valley, a short story collection by John Steinbeck.
Book 3 is a travel book called Sea and the Jungle by H. M. Tomlinson
What did I choose ? Well, the Steinbeck has the Red Pony in it. We had to read that in high school and I am still traumatised by the death of the little guy. I could read the other stories in it but does the mood hit me? Not really though I do love Steinbeck.
Did I choose the wonderful travel story of Sea and the Jungle written published in 1985? It is part of the extensive Penguin Travel journeys which are excellent. However it is dense with tiny print. If it weren’t part of the overall set library of these I might have to move it on. The library has about 40 travel and adventure series by Penguin in the 70s.
I really need something light hearted, not too dense and maybe help me stop missing riding my motorbike so much.
I am going with Simonson’s motorbike book that takes place around WWI.
My audible book right now has me happy too. James by Percival Everett, narrated by African-American Dominic Hoffman. He is excellent and this is a good book for audible as it is read from first person, in the dialect that was spoken at the time. I am really enjoying this book.
Well I guess that finishes off this post. I have really enjoyed following the posts from you people out there that I follow.
COMING NEXT: before too long- I discovered a male Tasmanian author of the early 1900s to write about and share for Wad’s activities of featuring male Australian writers of the past. I just need to research him more before I post.
All the best for this coming week.
And just for fun…..
Travellin' Penguin 
I just tried to post a comment but it was rejected. Let me see if this one goes through. Maybe it doesn’t like the title of the first book you mentioned? I was just saying that that book is on my TBR at the recommendation of my German BFF at the recommendation of her mother.
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It came through loud and clear. Always happy when you drop by. ❤️
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My gf sometimes leaves a tissue in one of her pockets every now and then. It’s more a mess in the dryer! 🙄
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We use an outdoor clothesline so much of the tissue blew away.
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That’s the problem with cargo pants, you can never check all the pockets. What I generally put through the wash is business cards, which don’t spread themselves around the way tissues do.
I can’t help you with your reading choices. I like Steinbeck but I can’t be bothered with short stories.
I look forward to seeing who is the old Tasmanian you have discovered.
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I will post about the Tassie author before too long. I need to look up a bit more stuff. Not much available on him.
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I’ve been wondering ever since your comment on my Dal Stivens post, who your post might be on! The anticipation…..
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One of the best things about my book blogging friends is the encouragement they offer me in trying to move forward.
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Life is full of ups and downs, isn’t it Pam? Empathise with the tissue thing – such a pain when that happens! Love your little insect mantra, too – I’m always careful to preserve them when I can. As for your book choices, I admit to being quite attracted to the Steinbeck!
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Oh no, I empathise over the tissue… I have done that too many times, and it’s all because I was brought up to use hankies!
And also about everything shutting down for sooo long over summer.
I loved Stoner. A genuinely memorable book. Happy reading!
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Good! I’m glad it’s not just me. 🌻☕️🌻
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Loved your opening section … how great about Stoner.
Sorry but I love the stopping of things over January. I love all the things I do but it is so nice having g great swags of free time too.
I’ve read a Simonson … Major Pettigrew’s last stand – it was a gentle, enjoyable read.
Hope next week goes well!
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I like the break too but by about the third week in Jan I’m ready to get going. I hadn’t realised Simonson wrote Major Pettigrew. Thank you. The week will go well. No more tissues in the wash!
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