I promise I am not going to complain about the heat (okay, maybe just a little tiny bit). While the heat wave of last week is only a bad memory, our 90+ degree days, and 70+ degree nights persist and along with the sunshine and heat is a layer of humidity. I'm sorry, the heat (which is trapped in my upstairs) and especially the humidity is wearing me down. No proper post tonight. I feel like sitting with a book in front of the fan. These are two books I am reading at the moment (of the large-ish pile sitting on my night stand).
And these are two books I'm contemplating starting. My library pile has grown considerably (you could call it large-ish, too). I might share them, but I always feel bad mentioning books that might go back unread. I'm trying to be better, but you know how it goes.
So, if you'll excuse me I'm off to get a nice tall, glass of icy lemonade and read a few of my books. I hope you're enjoying pleasant weather and an even more pleasant book!
Oh, how I sympathize with your horrendously hot weather! Daytimes in the 90s and nightimes in the 70s is something I've experienced for most of my life, until moving to the Adks in 2005. Ken and I lived right outside of Boston for 20 years, and I grew up in a hot Boston suburb. Unlike you, we did get occasional breaks in the 90s--70s routine during most summers. But how I hate heat and I know what you mean about not being able to think, write, or do anything.
May I ask, in what state or regional location do you reside?
Good luck!
Judith
Posted by: Judith | July 28, 2011 at 04:11 PM
You've just described our weather from June through Oct. It's just oppressive, with no cool mornings and evenings and that's what gets to me. (Sorry--had to have my own weather rant--what was this post really about????)
I'm grateful for our AC and for the escape that a good book brings when it's too hot to enjoy the outdoors. I just finished reading Sullivan's Island (set in SC) and need to pick up a new novel. I can't show my face at my library until I return a book I borrowed for my husband that is overdue, so I'll have to choose from the ginormous piles in my closet! Oh, well--plenty to choose from there!
Posted by: Kathy | July 28, 2011 at 04:21 PM
I can only imagine how awful it must be, day after day (and nights)of this heat. Wish I could send you a package of rain or a box of cool breezes. I just finished my reread of Surfacing, Margaret Atwood. Liked it very much again the second time around. Hope your books are cool.
Posted by: catharina | July 28, 2011 at 04:37 PM
I do hope you get some relief soon! In the meantime, enjoy that lemonade and the fan, and have fun reading.
Posted by: Dorothy W. | July 28, 2011 at 06:38 PM
Is that a new Douglas Kennedy book? I love his novels!! Re the heat...I know what you mean but just think of January.
Posted by: cathy | July 28, 2011 at 06:50 PM
Oh Danielle, hasn't it been horrendous!? We don't mind suffering a bit and try not to have the AC on if we don't have to but the humidity is draining us. I'm dreaming of pumpkin pie and apple cider already...I have had enough of summer heat and am waving a white flag.
Reading is a great way to stay cool, you don't have to move very much. Take care!
Posted by: Darlene | July 28, 2011 at 07:01 PM
You have my sympathy, Danielle. I live in Lafayette (on the Cajun coast), and we had terrible weather throughout most of June and July with 100 degree days. Now we're getting a lot of rain, but I'm off to see my mom in St. Louis on Monday, and they are predicting 95 degree days there (it wouldn't be much better here, though).
Posted by: Denise | July 28, 2011 at 08:58 PM
I wouldn't be able to handle that! We think it is hot here and it is not nearly that bad....
Posted by: Kailana | July 28, 2011 at 09:02 PM
Judith--I'm in Omaha, NE. This weather isn't entirely unusual, but it is going strong with no breaks since May. It becomes wearing after a while. It wasn't so bad in June, but the intensity this month means there is never any time to cool off. I would love to live somewhere a bit more temperate--I hope to move someday. :)
Kathy--As bad as it is in NE, I know there are places it is worse! I couldn't live in FL--I get very cranky when I am constantly hot and sticky. Since my house is old the upstairs (where I spend most of my time) gets very, very warm. There's just be no relief this summer. Ugh. And feel free to rant away as I am a totally sympathetic listener! I have lots of my own books started but have been reading library books (and have been returning them late, too!).
Catharina--I wish I could order some cool weather! :) I'd happily take you up on it. I read Surfacing when I was living in Austria! I should reread it, too. And I have a few unread books by Margaret Atwood--generally love her work.
Dorothy--Our cool down has been 88. Better than 98, I guess! :) I'll be happy to see August as things need to turn soon. Until then I'll be drinking lots of lemonade.
Cathy--It is! I had never heard of him before but this one caught my eye and I see he's written a number of other books. I'm looking forward to this one. I know January and July--the worst months! I just want a happy in-between temperature.
Darlene--Yes, this summer has been rough! I was hoping I could look to you to send some cool Northern Canadian air my way. No go? :) If it would cool down at night it would be bearable, but 70 and humid just doesn't cut it. I want cider and pumpkin pie, too. Yummy. Thank goodness there are books to take your mind off things.
Denise--I am in Omaha, so we are getting pretty much the same weather. Sticky. I would love to visit LA, but I don't think I could live there--it is probably even stickier then here. What a thought! :) Yes, Monday is going to be hot again. I'm trying to remember this for when I am freezing in January and February!
Kailana--I can't handle it very well as you see--it makes me feel very crabby. This year there seems to have not been any break, so I am looking forward to cooler days (and nights).
Posted by: Danielle | July 28, 2011 at 10:41 PM
Our temperature is stuck at 32° since two weeks.
I'm afraid we really have but three seasons left unless you call one week of high temperatures summer.
Posted by: Caroline | July 28, 2011 at 11:52 PM
I keep planning to spend significant chunks of time reading but other things keep coming up! Hopefully I will get to spend this evening with a good book. I hope to read The Rules of Civility soon.
Posted by: Stephanie | July 29, 2011 at 09:33 AM
The heat is so sapping of vitality! I do hope you get some cooler days soon, and that the lovely reading you have planned is sustaining you through the middle of summer.
Posted by: litlove | July 29, 2011 at 11:06 AM
I really hope the heat and humidity get better for you. Maybe it is only my imagination but this summer seems worst than last, weather wise. If only books could cool us down!
Posted by: Kathleen | July 29, 2011 at 03:02 PM
In one of your posts some time ago you used the line 'A biography in books'. (Forgot the context but not the line).
First I found a book in a sale this afternoon called Books, A Memoir (Larry Mc Murtry). Then when coming home I see you read Surfacing in Austria.
Now I feel the itch of starting a whole new project again....:)
Posted by: catharina | July 29, 2011 at 07:15 PM
Caroline--It's always one way or the other it seems--such high temperatures that it isn't much fun to be out in or really low that it is unseasonable. I wouldn't mind a nice 80 if the humidity would go away!
Stephanie--Most of my reading is also done in fits and starts and I don't get a lot of uninterrupted reading time in at home. I'm reading The Rules of Civility now and am really enjoying it.
Litlove--I hadn't even thought of it--you're right we're only at the midpoint of summer--ugh. What a thought. The really intense days have to start lessening though--surely. I'm just happy August is around the corner.
Kathleen--I think this summer is worse than last year or I am just not able to handle the heat like I used to.
Catharina--I wonder which post that was--I like the sound of it, too. I want to read that McMurtry book as well--I love books about books. I read quite a few books by Atwood that year in Austria--I was limited to what I could find in a used English language bookstore--I read a variety of books--lots of Atwood, a few Stephen King novels, Rita Mae Brown, and others that have not stuck with me--I had just bought Simone de Beauvoir but I was ready to go home and never did read it! You'll have to let me know what your new project is--mine is Italian literature and travel books I think as I've decided to save money for a trip to Italy....
Posted by: Danielle | July 30, 2011 at 08:27 PM
I'm sorry about the weather, I hate heat & humidity too. But, I do want to know what you think of The World My Wilderness. I have it on the tbr shelves.
Posted by: Lyn | July 30, 2011 at 11:51 PM
Lyn--It has to break at some point. Usually it gets better in August--so something to look forward to! I'll let you know how the Macaulay turns out. I just need some uninterrupted reading time with it as I've not gotten far into the story yet.
Posted by: Danielle | July 31, 2011 at 02:56 PM
Danielle I like to tell you more about my new project soon, will mail you anyway as my email address is changing tuesday.
Yours is a very good new project too by the way:great idea to treat yourself and save for a trip to Italy!
Posted by: catharina | July 31, 2011 at 04:28 PM
Isn't the weather terrible? We got a few days of relief from the humidity but it is back in full force with dew points in the 70s. I feel more trapped indoors by the heat and humidity than I ever do by the snow and cold. At least we are over halfway through summer now. Hopefully we will have a long and pleasant fall. But at this point I am afraid to wish for anything.
Posted by: Stefanie | August 01, 2011 at 08:32 AM
I know what you mean about the weather. The minute I step out of the house I feel I am going to die of heat. The humidity makes it so much worse. I am just waiting for September
Posted by: Vipula | August 01, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Catharina--Well, I may be saving for a very, very long time, so the books will have to be the next best thing in the interim. I owe you a letter, too--I received yours in the mail--lovely to hear from you and the cards you sent are beautiful--thanks!
Stefanie--I swear I am not going to complain about the cold--well, unless we get loads and loads of snow and the sidewalks never get cleared--then I reserve the right to complain. Somehow it seems easier to get warm--add layers of clothes, but it is impossible to cool down without the aid of a good air conditioner! It's been very icky here, too. I don't deal well with the humidity. You'd think I would get used to it, but nope.
Vipula--I think it is even worse where you are--aren't you in Missouri? I know that feeling--when I leave work where it is nice and cool that first gust of warm air is like opening an oven!! The humidity makes it miserable--I agree. I might do better if it was dry out--I usually have to peel my clothes off when I get home from walking after work! Yes, September is just around the corner now.
Posted by: Danielle | August 01, 2011 at 05:53 PM
Thank you for letting me know! Don't worry about writing a letter, you are far more busy than I am! I am just very relieved my 'little something' did arrive allright.
Posted by: catharina | August 02, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Catharina--I at least owe you an email! I actually love writing (and getting letters) so don't be surprised if at some point something turns up in your mailbox! :)
Posted by: Danielle | August 02, 2011 at 08:52 PM
I noticed an essay by Dirda on your essays and short stories list -- and wondered if you had read= his book Readings which is very much a biography written in the "books I've read and loved and learned from" form. He also has a wonderful little book called "Book by Book" in which he shares some of his favorite passages. If you like literary essays you might like Joseph Epstein ... I don't always agree with him but he can be very engaging.
Loved your short story list -- I am an enormous fan of Cheever (The Swimmer is just an amazing story), Chekhov, Eudora Welty, and Flannery O'Connor among others. And -- if you have not read it, a wonderful summer story -- not long -- and a bit of an antidote to the heat -- is Irwin's Shaw's The Girls in their Summer Dresses.
Do you ever read collected letters by authors you admire? Oh...so many books ... so little time.
Posted by: AJ | August 05, 2011 at 08:04 AM
AJ--I have both those Dirda books by my bedside and dip into them now and again. I really like his essays. I have not, however, tried anything by Joseph Epstein so will look for him on Amazon (or more likely in my library). I love books about books and have a shelf full of them! I am getting back into short stories--really love them, too, but it's hard writing about them. I haven't read Cheever's The Swimmer, but I have a huge book of his collected stories and bet it's in there. I will see if I can find the Irwin Shaw story--I have a number of anthologies--maybe I can find it in my own collection--it sounds like fitting reading for the warm (ahem) weather so many people are 'enjoying'. I have a few books of collected letters--Katherine Mansfield--and a number of diaries, too (Anais Nin and Virginia Woolf...), but as you say--so many books. I usually don't know where to turn next! :)
Posted by: Danielle | August 05, 2011 at 09:31 PM
http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/dresses.html
I had a feeling I might be able to find that Shaw story online ... there's the link. I have the Mansfield letters but haven't dipped in yet ... and I just bought Eudora Welty's because I read an excerpt from her first letter to the New Yorker asking for a job ... in which she informs them that she can draw as well as write "in case Mr. Thurber goes off the deep end."
Posted by: AJ | August 06, 2011 at 07:02 AM
Sorry to hear about the heat! It's the worst. Hope you decided to read The Rules of Civility; I finished it last week and adored it. If you have to deal with gross weather, at least having a good book will help cheer you up!
Posted by: Cass | August 07, 2011 at 11:07 AM