Good morning, dears. Anyone else feeling that the universe has gone into overdrive after being at standstill for COVID? I try to keep this all about books, but the past two weeks have pressed me hard. Normally, I’d have a review for you, but instead I’m going to get personal. Feel free to skip down to the book covers if you’re not in the mood and just want something bookish.
My mother-in-law died so we traveled for the first time since 2019 which felt very strange and was compounded by a lot of uncomfortable family dynamics.
I found out I have cataracts and need surgery. This is actually GREAT news because hopefully it means I won’t have to wear glasses for the first time since I was 9 years old. Still, it’s scary—a three-hour consultation, having a stupid amount of information thrown at you. And then being told the first surgery available is a month from now and the second a month after that, which blows apart my summer plans. Namely, driving to Colorado in July to see my mother who I haven’t seen since Christmas 2019.
This is all to say I’m feeling wobbly and the one thing I count on for relief is failing me—my reading. I DNFed the last two books I tried. I don’t know if it’s me or the books, but not being able to escape into a book makes me feel worse.
Whew…that’s a lot. Sorry. It’s a new week, I’ve organized a to-do list, and I’ve chosen the books I hope will get me back on track. Here we go!
Palace of the Drowned has a catchy, and somewhat familiar sounding, premise: Frankie Croy’s heavily promoted second novel flops so she retreats to Venice to recover her mojo (The Plot). She meets a young admirer who inserts herself into Frankie’s life, with ulterior motives (All About Eve). Things do not go well. Down-on-their-luck author, a sycophant, and 1960s Italy sound like a recipe for great reading.
I’m really hoping The Maidens breaks my reading slump. It’s modern psychological suspense, but with ties to Greek mythology—always something I love. Plus, it’s set on a college campus and involves a male professor so compelling he’s got a fan group known as the Maidens. When one of them is murdered a local therapist is sure it was the professor, but how to prove it?
It’s a slender niche, but I’ve had great success with audiobooks about popular television shows. Most recently, I loved The Office for its behind-the-scenes look at a show I enjoyed. I’m listening to I’ll Be There For You about Friends, the iconic 1990s show about scrappy new adults living in nice apartments in NYC with marginal incomes. I’ve gotten as far as the casting process and it’s fun hearing how decisions were made and other actors who could have ended up being Chandler, Monica, or Joey.
How’s your summer going?
If you’re looking for reading options Sarah and I are back with another episode on her podcast, Sarah’s Bookshelves Live. We discuss the 12 books we most want to read in June and July. So many choices! Click on link or graphic below to get episode. You can also subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Plus, for just $5 a month you get bonus episodes with even more books and bookish chatter.
So sorry for your discombobulated, Catherine! I hope things smooth out for you and you can enjoy your summer. BTW I have many family members who got cataract surgery and they said it was quick and life changing. Take care!
So happy to hear from you! I’ve heard the same thing, but then I’ve heard that if people do have issues it’s with their near vision and reading. Gulp. I can’t have that. I mostly just want to get it done now and not wait, but it’s not an option.
Wow, you’ve had a lot thrown at you lately, and it is such a weird time right now. I imagine the flight was strange. Ah, family dynamics. Condolences for the loss of your MIL.
What is it about hitting 50 and having weird medical things happening to our bodies? I hope your surgeries are uneventful. That’s a hassle having to wait so long but you’ll be glad you had it done.
It’s annoying not to see our loved ones. I haven’t seen my mom since Nov. 2019 but a summer trip to south Florida sounds miserable so I’m not going until fall. It’s hard not to see them more often as they get older.
Take care of yourself, Catherine.
Hello! I’ve missed you so much! The travel was weird, but mostly because you have to be masked from the moment you enter the airport until the moment you leave. On the plane, everywhere. I’m vaccinated so why?
Oh dear…50 is so far in my review mirror I can’t even remember it. The good old days! I’m hitting another milestone this summer and am actually excited about it. Just need the universe to quiet down a bit.
Catherine,
Sorry to hear you’re dealing with so much. Sending you best wishes with your consultation & hope everything goes well & smoothly.
Sincerely,
Monica
Thank you! Everything went fine- it just feels like hurry up and wait. I really wanted to drive to CO this summer, but don’t know how that will happen. We’ll see.
I’m so sorry about your mother-in-law. And about your travel plans to visit your mom. That with the upcoming surgery would make ANYONE feel wobbly. Hoping things get easier and that your reading can entertain and distract!
I listened to the summer preview episode on Sarah’s podcast and enjoyed it tremendously. Great job, guys!
Thank you so much! Hopefully, you got some good reading ideas.
Catherine, some encouragement about your cataract surgery…Like you, I’ve worn glasses since I was 9 and now at 70 I have 20/20 vision! All I need are readers. I had my surgeries back in Feb/March, and was able to drive almost immediately. My doctor suggested just pushing out the glasses lens on the side of the first eye and using the glasses that way until the second surgery. They wouldn’t let me drive myself home due to the anesthetic, but he said the reality is that some people do. So if you have a month between eyes, you may be able to go to Colo., after all!
I was wondering about that! My right eye is the worst by far so that’s first and I thought I could remove that lens in my glasses. Did you get mono or multifocal lenses? I’m getting multifocal. Insurance won’t cover it, but I’ve saved the money so am going to go for it.
I had mono vision lens put in. That’s why I still need the reading glasses.
hey Catherine — so sorry about your M-I-L and your eye surgery news, Ugh. Were you close to your M-I-L? Mine passed away in 2013 and it was tough and way too early for her — takes time to sort out everything. Your eye surgery will be a good success but I know it takes time away from being able to read. You’ll have to do the eye drops after the surgery for awhile. You’ll enjoy many audiobooks on your drive to Colorado … I didn’t realize your mother was there … I have lived there once as well. I’ll have to get to your podcast ASAP …. we just got back from a 5 day trip to the mountains (Banff) here … so it was a nice break with pretty scenery. Enjoy your weekend.
It was complicated all the way around. I played the supportive spouse and mostly listened. I know I need to surgery, but a little concerned about the newness of this lens in the U.S. I’m just ready to be done with it!
So sorry you’ve been dealing with so much, Catherine, and that your plans have been upended. Not exactly the “end” of the pandemic you’d hoped for, I’m sure! I hope it all goes well for you.
I’ve been a little out of the loop of other blogs lately myself. I hope you’re finding some great books to keep you entertained! I enjoyed the I’ll Be There for You audio–Friends is always fun nostalgia.
Sending you healing thoughts!
Thank you! I think it’s compounded by the fact that life for the last 18 months has been so proscribed. We’re all having to re-adjust.
I need another audio like I’ll Be There!