If you’re a visitor to my blog, you may have noticed that my postings have been a little, ahem, erratic in the last month or so. What I have posted has perhaps been more visual and nature oriented than literary or bookish, which isn’t to say that my interests have shifted. As much as I love my nature viewing and museum visiting (I’ve at least two very nice regional museums to share with you, so watch out!) my life remains centered on books and the printed word, as it has been since I learned to read around the usual age of six or so. While I’ve been nature viewing, I’ve also been reading as much as ever (perhaps even more so) but — I hide nothing from you, dear reader — Janakay is just a teensy-weensy bit lazy! And it’s so much easier to read the wonderful books than to organize my thoughts and string them together in coherent sentences! Although I’m actually on track as far as the reading goes to meet my two challenges (Roofbeam Reader’s TBR, and Books and Chocolate’s Back to the Classics), I’m woefully behind in writing and posting the reviews of all that I’ve read. Monday is “Miscellany Day,” however, so I’m doing a hodgepodge of related topics; because the relationship is a rather loose one, feel free to skip around!
My first Miscellany is — Anna Maria, a barrier island off Florida’s Gulf Coast, and its nearby areas (I’m just back from a visit and sorting through photos).
This certainly isn’t the tourist board’s presentation of Florida, is it? I love summer visits to the Gulf Coast, partially for the opportunity to see drama such as this.A favorite activity for many visitors is simply watching the sunset, which can be truly spectacular.These large pink birds are Roseate Spoonbills, which are generally not seen in large numbers. Finding this little flock on an early morning walk at a nearby nature preserve was quite a treat; catching the reflections made the view even better.Anna Maria’s Rod & Reel Pier, a community gathering spot. Do you see the line waiting to get into the yellow building, which is a restaurant? If you look closely, you can see everyone is facing in the same direction because they’re watching a couple of dolphins hunt fish. EVERYONE goes to dinner at the Rod & Reel Pier!A roosting tree, loaded with White Ibises waking up for the day . . . . .In keeping with my interest in food, I couldn’t resist a shot of Minnie’s Beach Cafe! You’d never guess it was in a small shopping center would you? Anna Maria frequently throws visitors this kind of curve ball!
While I was visiting Anna Maria, I did lots and lots of reading, which brings me to my second Miscellany: books that I started, stopped or finished during my time there:
One of my TBR Challenge books, which I FINALLY finished! An absolutely stunning read by Esther Freud, a British novelist I like very much. I honestly can’t understand why it took me EIGHT years to get around to this book.One of my Back to Classics selections (category: novel from a place where you’ve lived) and my first novel by Walker Percy. I’m still mulling over my rather complicated reaction . . . .A debut novel, sitting on my shelf since 2012. Can you guess it’s part of my TBR Challenge? A truly searing tale of a transgressive relationship, not for the faint of heart.Harrison’s beautifully written but intensely troubling memoir; a non-fictional treatment of a relationship similar to that depicted in Peile’s novel.Although I love science fiction and fantasy novels, I’m not reading many these days. This tale of operatives Red and Blue, locked in a centuries old struggle through time, is a wild mix of genres rendered in beautifully poetic language.One of my TBR challenge books, reprinted in a beautiful new edition as part of the NYRB Classics series. A blackly funny look at Cassandra’s descent to chaos at her twin sister’s wedding, with some serious thoughts about sibling bonds and “unconventional” life styles (my review will come, eventually!)Bánffy’s “They Were Counted” was my “very long classic” Challenge read. One chapter in and I know I’m in trouble — I need Plan B! I will not be reading this book in 2019!Some times (and a stressful travel day is one) NO ONE but Georgette Heyer will do! This one isn’t my favorite of her regency romances (that honor probably goes to “These Old Shades”) but it’s still wonderful!
And since I’m doing books, make sure your visit to Anna Maria includes a side excursion to nearby St. Petersburg (the drive is lovely) and the wonderful:
Are you surprised to learn that I’ve added to my TBR pile?
My third and final miscellany: Jane Austen’s Sanditon, the novel left unfinished at her death. Has anyone read this? Or, unlike myself, realized the importance in Austen’s fiction of seaside resorts and beach villages? Today’s Guardian has a wonderful article discussing Austen’s use of seaside resorts — a key scene in Persuasion occurs in Lime Regis; Lydia Bennet elopes from Brighton and Austen herself may have enjoyed a seaside romance. The article suggests that in Sanditon, Austen may have written the first seaside novel; at any rate, she certainly anticipated “what the seaside has come to represent in later modern fiction,” such as Chopin’s TheAwakening, Woolf’s To the Lighthouse or Banville’s The Sea.
The exciting news? Sanditon is being adapted for an eight part series on ITV, which will air this autumn! Thoughts anyone, about Anna Maria Island, Sanditon or any of my other reads?
"You Might as Well Read" 