I didn't finish a book over the weekend. I tried, but there just wasn't enough time. I'm getting close, though! The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Armin is the book I'm working on. At least it's a pleasure 
to read, even if feels like it's taking me forever to finish it. Okay, maybe I'll finish it tonight, so forever is a bit of an exaggeration, but it feels like it sometimes.
I thoroughly enjoyed Cranford. It was excellent. Was I the only one who became weepy at the end? I couldn't help myself. My husband always likes to remind me it's just a movie, but when you get wrapped up in the characters, it feels so real. I'm definitely going to buy the DVD
I'm finally nearing the end of Penny Vincenzi's Sheer Abandon (only a couple of hours left). I've actually nearly shed tears over parts of this story as well. In this case, however, I'm not entirely sure there's not just a tad bit of emotional blackmail going on, or if events needed to transpire as they did. Perhaps they did, but I saw it coming and thought, oh how convenient! I also have to say it's one thing to read a book that has a smattering of steamy love scenes and its another thing entirely to listen to them. Especially at 6:15 in the morning as I walk down a busy street to get to the bus stop. (It made me wonder if the lady reading blushed as she got to those parts or wanted to giggle uncontrollably!). I 
have enjoyed the story, despite feeling slightly antagonistic at times over some of the characters, but I am very ready to move on to something new. I think I'll listen to Maisie Dobbs next. I've been wanting to reread the books from the beginning, so it'll be a new experience to listen to them. And a mere nine hours (as opposed to 22!).
I've discovered that I really love reading short stories. I've also discovered that I don't much like writing about them. I'm not exactly sure how to write about them without feeling like I'm just giving a synopsis. Do you read short stories? How do you write about them? Do you write about them. I read other reader's posts about stories, and they are always so thoughtful and insightful and I want to write like that, but I can't seem to manage it. Usually I read whatever story I've chosen on Sunday, and then sit at my computer and stare at the screen for a while waiting for something to click in my head about it. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. Maybe I need to read the story during the week and then let it sink in for a few days. Maybe I should just read them and not always write about them. I'm afraid if I do that, however, I'll get out of the habit of reading one every week. A vicious cycle. Maybe I'm just lazy. Maybe I worry too much.
Sound the trumpets please. I've finally finished the second section, "Cosette" of Les Misérables! I won't say how long it took me (actually I've lost track of time), but I did it. Now I've started reading "Marius". I think a new character will be introduced shortly (Marius perhaps?) as I'm being given a 
rather lengthy description of Parisian street urchins. I'm really feeling in the mood for some French lit, so maybe this section will go much faster.
I've also been reading Mary Elizabeth Braddon's Lady Audley's Secret. It's so good. It reminds me of Armadale by Wilkie Collins. Lydia Gwilt/Lucy Audley (or is she really who she says she is?), Allan Armadale/Robert Audley. Okay, so the stories are different, but there are comparisons to be made. They were writing about the same time, so no doubt they must have influenced each other (though I'm not sure which way the influence ran). I've requested a couple of interesting articles about the book for when I'm finished. There's so much more going on in this story under the surface. Is Robert Audley misogynistic or am I misunderstanding him? An interesting story coming from a woman author. What ever did the Victorians think? Well, I can imagine actually. I want to read more about the story as I am reading the story, but I don't want any of the plot to be spoiled. I'll be looking for more of her novels.