From One Book Lover

There are only so many hours in a day, but I used them to my best advantage on 2019 Independent Bookstore Day. I started at midnight by ordering a signed copy of Where the Crawdads Sing  by Delia Owens. Jake from  The Alabama Booksmith  invited me to purchase this gem — which  I already owned, but I couldn't resist the opportunity for a signed book from a trusted seller. One book , I promised myself as I grabbed my car keys and began my bookish day,  one book from each store . I was still trying to find room for my previous week's library book sale books. One is enough, right? As Tzeitel would say, Of course right... My first stop was Bard's Alley in Vienna , my one-stop shop for books I didn't even know were available. It started when I stumbled across a new translation of Les Misérables last year, and now I can't think of anywhere else I'd go for this vital resource. (That is, after hours of excruciating research, when I should just ask my bookseller. ...

How many of you have read our Current Polar Book Club Selection? Anyone? Bueller? [Raising my hand halfway] Ahem, can I be halfway finished? The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster is fully within my comfort zone, but it isn't a comfortable read for me. I'm loving it, but I have to take sips of the book, rather than long gulps. And as a result, I'm only a little more than halfway finished. Look, I know I suggested we read the book together. I made the offer, and I didn't keep up. I apologize. Now, that doesn't mean you have to wait for me. Okay, maybe a little, but start taking notes, and tell me what to look for (without spoilers, please!). Long story short: I'm still in. I'm just a little slower than I would have liked. Sorry about that, and I will hurry along to catch up with you. In the comments below, tell me how long it took you to read this delightful (so far) gem. I can't wait to hear!