It might be only the end of July to you, but to me, it is the end of Summer. By the time August comes, it's time to consider the new school year, and the days have a marked shadow over them. A shadow with lots of promise, because I love teaching, but a darkening of the days left for freedom. Fun. Reading and cycling and no meetings. Bliss...
July was beautiful. There was the glorious virtual trip to Paris brought to us by Tamara and Karen who sponsored Paris in July. Can we do it again next year? Please? For that event, my contributions were:
Books I've read in July include:
Finally, did you notice the new header photograph and colors? I love yellow, and I love red, but it seems I can't stay with one combination for long. In college, I was passionate for purple; I wore purple cowboy boots and purple jackets. My parents gave me a huge amethyst ring upon graduation. So, it's time to revisit purple, until I change again for the harvest in September. Don't get attached to one theme for too long Chez Bellezza. (That was Sunday, now it's Tuesday. We have what I hope to be the final header for the Fall; I came across Renoir's girls reading (La Lecture) and it's perfect for the start of school. To me, anyway.)
In the meantime, did you have a lovely July? Did you read anything spectacular? Are you anticipating August with anxiety or joy?
July was beautiful. There was the glorious virtual trip to Paris brought to us by Tamara and Karen who sponsored Paris in July. Can we do it again next year? Please? For that event, my contributions were:
- the post that my mother wrote including her memories and sensations of Paris
- a review of Zola's Therese Raquin
- a review of Bolano's Monsieur Pain
- a review of the film Seraphine
- a review of Guerlain's Vol du Nuit, with the promise of the novel's review to come
Books I've read in July include:
- STiLL ALiCE by Lisa Genova
- Sea Escape by Lynne Griffin
- Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan
- Let The Great World Spin by Colum McCann
- A Personal Matter by Kenzaburo Oe
- half of Middlemarch by George Eliot (for Nymeth's read-along the last week of August)
Finally, did you notice the new header photograph and colors? I love yellow, and I love red, but it seems I can't stay with one combination for long. In college, I was passionate for purple; I wore purple cowboy boots and purple jackets. My parents gave me a huge amethyst ring upon graduation. So, it's time to revisit purple, until I change again for the harvest in September. Don't get attached to one theme for too long Chez Bellezza. (That was Sunday, now it's Tuesday. We have what I hope to be the final header for the Fall; I came across Renoir's girls reading (La Lecture) and it's perfect for the start of school. To me, anyway.)
In the meantime, did you have a lovely July? Did you read anything spectacular? Are you anticipating August with anxiety or joy?
My July was PERFECT. The most profound read for me was (I think I've told you this before) Alan Paton's Cry, The Beloved Country.
ReplyDeleteI'm just compiling my list of books to read in August. Nothing jumps at me so far, but with books, until you open that cover, you never know what awaits you...
Looks like you chose some very good books in July. Glad to see you loved
ReplyDeleteBees and Mist, Still Alice and A Personal Journey. I 've read the Oe, as well as his Teach Us How to Outgrow Our Madness. I just can't get enough of his writing. The first two are on my tbr list so I really look forward to them now.
I've read Hotel Iris and Night Flight. I look forward to your thoughts on them.
I've got the back-to-school blues too; teachers and staff start back on August 9th and frankly--I'm not ready! In July I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, Columbine, Chronic City, Rock Island Line, and I'm reading Middlemarch (4th time) with Nymeth and Don Quixote with Stu from Winston's Dad blog. Trying to cram it all in!
ReplyDeleteI had a great July of reading (ah, summer vacation!) and am still enjoying myself. I know what you mean about August means returning to school is right around the corner! I think my brain does a shift-thing when August rolls around. Must be a teacher thing.
ReplyDeleteJuly went by much too quickly, but it was a great month for us since our son finished college!
ReplyDeleteJuly was a speedy little devil. I, too, enjoyed taking little side trips to Paris; your mom's was highlight.
ReplyDeleteDoubt things will slow down for August. So much for the "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer."
Thanks for explaining the purple--change is good! Can't wait to see what you choose next ;)
I missed out on Paris in July, which I'm not altogether happy about. Maybe next year?! Got loads of recommendations from all of you who participated, so I am looking forward to reading them.
ReplyDeleteMy July was a good month, I think. Read more in the month than I have in the four to five months preceding it. My favourite book of the month was Doris Lessing's The Fifth Child. I also really enjoyed Little Lord Fauntleroy.
August will see me tackling The Master and Margarita, which I'm quite excited about.
Happy August!
I like the new headre and colours! Paris in July seemed fun, I hope it will return next year and that I get to join. It is funny to me that August means the end of summer to you, while I think my summer just started yesterday :)
ReplyDeleteJuly was wonderfully busy for me and because of that, I only read ONE book...The girl with the dragon tattoo. I was so disappointed in the ending.
ReplyDeleteAugust brings the start of the school year and sending my next child to college....bittersweet.
It makes me a bit sad July is over, but I'm hoping it means cooler weather in just a month.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear what you think of Middlemarch. I read it last year (or the year before?) and really wish I had a gang to read it with.
Hope you're having a beautiful day, Bellezza. And I'd LOVE to see those purple cowboy boots! ;)
Oh, I know how you feel about August. As a librarian, I do work through the summer but with all the students gone it has a much different and slower feel to it. Once August hits the meetings begin, I must prep in earnest for the fall classes, etc. I was just talking to my husband about this very thing. I want all school stuff to wait until September. I want to go to summer camp. I want to take an end of summer trip to lie in a hammock by the lake in the mountains. I want the lazy feeling to continue. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteI did love the red and yellow but also appreciate the surprises that always await me here. :)
ReplyDeleteKnow the feeling of school return being right around the corner but don't despair. Still a bit of reading time left.
I need to look at your blog on my iPad. On my desktop, the color scheme looks more tan than purple! But I love that doorway header. You find the most beautiful photos, my dear.
ReplyDeleteJuly was wonderfully busy for me. A trip to San Diego for my 30th high school reunion. A trip to Virginia Beach to visit my eight-year-old granddaughter. A decent month of reading (but not blogging/reviewing!). Lots of rain, so my garden looked pretty. Now it looks hot and tired. August should be a bit calmer. I'm listening to The Girl Who Played With Fire and I'm loving it! Other than that, the only big hit last month was The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. I hope to get that review written this week!
I hope you enjoy the last days of your summer. I need to get out on the bike trail again! Once this summer cold leaves me...
ummm....it is more tan than purple. I changed it again cause the purple was more intense than even I, purple appreciator of the world, wanted it.
ReplyDeleteI have the Girl Who Played With Fire waiting for me; even though I didn't like The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo as much as everyone else, I feel compelled to read the series. They are fascinating mysteries, and her character is especially so.
I'm looking forward to your thoughts on Edgar. I loved the ghosts (for lack of a better term) in that book.
I'm sorry you have a cold. Summer colds are the worst! XOXO
I have a teacher friend who says that June, July, and August are like Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Isn't that great? And so true! Tom being a teacher, it seems like my whole life has revolved around the school calendar. Neither of us is complaining because there is a lot more time off than most people get, but I find myself looking forward to a time when he retires and I can look at September differently. July was very, very beautiful around here, though quite hot. I can't tell you what I'll read next, only what I'm reading now - a great juvenile book called The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd. The book says 9-12 but it feels older to me. Sadly the author died three years ago.
ReplyDeletejuly started glorious bursting into flame with the sun, only to fade out as a standard english rainy day. Bookwise just finished a book that I want to own, as opposed to just read. which contradicts my read & release policy (it's taken me a long time to be able to do this).work wise its summer bbq with my students at the weekend.
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ReplyDeleteLovely new blog header, Bellezza. Each time you change the painting, it is perfect. I love the Impressionists.
ReplyDeleteI didn't read or blog as much in July as I would have liked, but I hope to "catch up" in August (which I can't believe is already here).
You've had a great July, and the new header is great. I can barely remember my July! I think there was some kind of trip in there at some point, but it's kind of all a blur right now!
ReplyDeleteI always feel badly for all my teacher friends when the advertisements for school supplies start showing up ~ means their time is almost up!
ReplyDeleteJuly was a busy reading month for me. I'm finishing up with Gail Godwin's novel,Unfinished Desires, about some intriguing relationships at a North Carolina Catholic girls school, set in the early 1950's.
August and September - the height of anxiety for hurricane coasts. We're all waiting for the months to hurry and be done, so we can get on with the summer-living we're too distracted for during - well, during summer!
ReplyDeleteBut I do now understand one reasonable use of an e-reader. It would be useful as can be during hurricane evacuations! I'm still not biting, but at least now I've got a good, practical reason for buying one.