Hi All. I hope your summer is going well. It seems June went by in a blink of an eye and July is almost here. I’ll have my Preview post out next week as to what’s coming out ahead, but I’m not ready just yet. We’re headed into Canada Day long weekend here and it looks like big thunderstorms are looming. At least, it’ll help to get a bit of rain for the plants. And luckily we don’t have any big plans other than to enjoy ourselves in the countryside and maybe get out the bikes, the golf clubs, and the yard work equipment for whenever it’s not thundering down. What about you — do you have big plans or travel for the Independence Day ahead? Most of the continent is frying right now, so what more do you need than to take a dip in the nearest ocean, lake, river, or pool. Otherwise stay in the A/C and enjoy a fun beach read or two.
And now I’ll leave you with what I finished lately.
Clear by Carys Davies / Scribner / 208 pages / 2024
3.75 stars. It didn’t take too long for this story to capture my imagination … of a lone occupant left to his animals on a remote island in the North Sea circa 1843 and the Scottish Reverend (John Ferguson) who is sent some 400 miles by boat to evict him. Impoverished John is doing the bidding of a wealthy landowner who wants the man gone … as part of the forced evictions known as the Highland Clearances to sweep away unwanted tenants.
But John’s wife Mary has misgivings that it won’t be an easy job, and after weeks she sets off to see if she can bring John back. In the meantime John has had an accident on the island and is found and taken in by the lone man, Ivar. As they get to know one another, even with different languages, it is unclear if John will tell the man why he’s there, or whether he will end up using his gun to convince him. The man Ivar is at home there on his beloved island among his animals and knows no other life.
The writing is sparse but with keen observations of the rugged, wet, and windy terrain. It’s very atmospheric and you can feel the remote isolation, the unkempt man, the cliffs, and the crashing waves that make boats unwelcome. It’s a short book and one whose arresting ending comes soon enough like the big cresting waves to the shore.
I’ve Tried Being Nice: Essays by Ann Leary /Simon & Schuster /240 pgs /2024
4+ stars. Ann Leary’s essays came to me at the right time. I had just finished Octavia Butler’s 1979 novel Kindred, which is quite a grim read and I needed a big palate cleanser and this proved to be the perfect audiobook, which Ann narrates herself.
Several of the essays are pretty humorous, including about Doodle lady, who lets her dog roam on the Learys’ property; or Ann’s funny incidences dealing with her actor husband Dennis Leary’s fans and fame and her diaries from the Red Carpet; or her tennis doubles partners; or the time a brown furry bat attached to her pajamas at their country house. Ann has some fun banter and self-deprecating humor … often over her suffering from being a constant people pleaser — which is most welcomed in this entertaining collection of essays.
Not all the essays are funny, but the other ones are often poignant looks into her life: about her writing; or how her family moved around a lot as a kid; her hearing problems; her alcohol relapse; her family life with Dennis and their two kids and becoming an empty nester; her taking up tennis in her 40s and becoming an EMT; their downsizing and move to New York; their travels; and the dogs in her life. Wow there’s so many enlightening glimpses into Ann.
Of course, I had no idea about her much before. I had read Leary’s 2013 novel The Good House and saw the movie too, which I had liked. So I thought this one might be enjoyable and thankfully it was, yay. Especially so, since I’m a dog lover and a tennis player — both of which she talks about being herself in a couple chapters. She also writes about being a person who’s avoided confrontations throughout her life (me too, alas) and seems to be trying to train herself not always to be such a people pleaser.
This book seems a bit different than Ann Patchett’s 2021 book of essays These Precious Days, which I also liked. Maybe that one has an earnest, searching look back on life, while this one has a bit more banter to it. But this one also seems quite open and genuine and has some great lines in it. So thanks to Ann for getting me back onto a more positive track and reading space with this entertaining book. I can go back now to my summer reading list filled with novels of despair and angst, lol.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read these authors and if so what did you think?
I thought Clear was in your wheelhouse; apparently I was right. You liked it more than I did but I agree with you on all counts; I just like a bit more action in my reading, or more resolution. Ann Leary’s book of essays sounds like the perfect palate cleanser you needed after Kindred. It’s good that she balanced heart, hobbies and humor. I googled Dennis Leary just to make sure it was the actor I thought of; he was. I didn’t know he was a comedian too. I knew him for Rescue Me and the remake of The Thomas Crown Affair.
Hi Carmen, you’re probably right about Clear. I gave it like 3.75 stars for the setting and historical circumstances and the island and some of the writing etc. but I agree it needed a bit more …. story depth, more background into things, more of an ending. Usually I do like those kinds of tales set in isolated places though. It certainly was sparse.
And the Leary book was indeed a good palate cleanser after the darkness of Kindred. Just a totally different read. She’s a bit funny. And I remember Dennis in the Thomas Crown Affair. I didn’t watch Rescue Me.
My reading is going a bit off the summer list tracks lately but we’ll see where I wind up. You have any good books going? Former blog Judy gave Long Island only 3 stars as you did. So that doesn’t bode well for me. Hmm.
Enjoy your weekend.
I’m about to finish Fire Exit, which is very well written and readable but overall a 3*. The leading up to the ending is gripping though. It’s been touted as one of the best books of the year thus far, as is Long Island. It seems Judy and I are in the minority regarding Long Island. I’ve read better by Colm Toibin. Maybe I can squeeze Shanghailanders, a 200+ pages reading before July 4th. Changes are coming my way.
Hi Carmen, good to know about Fire Exit. I had looked at it and maybe I should eventually get to it. I still have Long Island on my list but there’s a long library wait for it and my expectations now are much lower. You are reading some quality reads this year even if 3* … I’ll be interested to hear what you think of the Shanghai book. I’m keen on novels set there. What changes are coming? I hope they are good.
I think I would like both of these books but I would probably go for Clear more. I have read at least one other novel that was marginally about the Highland Clearances and that subject is very interesting.
I am looking forward to Canada Day because I am going to start a challenge to read Canadian books (by a Canadian author or set in Canada). I am hoping that there will be an official challenge but if not I will do an informal challenge.
Hi Tracy, wow that’s cool to hear about your Canadian book/author challenge. Great idea. I’m sort of stuck in this summer list challenge at the moment, but I’m always trying to read more Canadian books. I’ll definitely be looking to see what you pick up. I still need to read some of the classics by Margaret Laurence or ones by Jane Urquart.
You would probably like Clear … it’s sort of like a novella. And my first a bit about the Highland Clearances. Enjoy your weekend.
I really enjoyed These Precious Days and I am not an essay fan normally. I meant to read Ann Leary’s novel but never got around to it. Her husband is in the news often, not for his acting work but because he is local, a big hockey fan, and a supporter of the Worcester Fire Department which lost several firefighters in a fire started by homeless people trying to stay warm. I don’t imagine Ann has an easy time being married to a comedian.
Hi Constance, interesting to hear about Dennis Leary and hockey and the fire department. Perhaps she gets some of her humor from him? I guess they met at college. I don’t normally read essay books either. But These Precious Days blew the lid off that. I still think of the very sad cancer story Patchett tells at the end of the book, killed me. Leary’s is a bit different but still in the same ball park.
Enjoy your weekend.
I like the idea of palette cleanser book. I just reread my review of Kindred. It was such a powerful book but hard to read and stomach at the same time. Happy Canada Day!
Thanks Anne. I will need to find some red to wear for Canada Day. 🙂
Kindred sort of wiped me out a bit so Leary’s book was a good palate cleanser. See what you think of it, or perhaps keep it for when you need a different reading direction. Have a Happy 4th!
You post the loveliest photos, that is great shot of the landscape. I might need to add the Ann Leary to my list for something different. Clear is in the wait list at the library.
I hope you are able to get out and enjoy the golfing and biking. We could use the rain too, the field is getting brown with the constant heat and zero rainfall.
Thanks Tina. I try to post some nice photos to brighten things up. We received a deluge of rain last night and now maybe the sun is coming.
Ann Leary’s essays are good when you need something different. And Clear is a pretty short read … maybe it needed a bit more depth to the story, but it seemed visual. I hope you enjoy your weekend with Loki. & Good luck getting some rain too.
We may get rain, I am excited! Loki had a trip to the vet for a lame leg so he won’t be cavorting about the field. He’s my reading buddy.
So, not sure if you will see my response to your comment about the Perrin novel so I wanted to let you know-
Her books were only published in French and popular in Europe. Once Fresh Water for Flowers was translated, she gained a new audience and following. Then the title Three was translated and well received. That’s why the announcement of Forgotten on Sunday seemed like a new publication. It was just newly translated.
Ahh thanks for letting me know about the Perrin book. Makes more sense now. I’m midway into Fresh Water for Flowers and just hit the tragedy part … but there’s a lot more left.
Enjoy your rain, fingers crossed and I hope Loki will be all right. Maybe plenty of rest & reading 🙂 with you.
Thanks for your review of Clear, it has been on my radar on a while, but never got around to it. I’ve read about the Highland Clearances before, but it’s a fascinating topic. For a second I thought, you had found an essay collection similar to These Precious Days. That would have been great, since I really loved it. However, I am still open to pick up Ann Leary’s essays.
Can’t believe we are almost in July. Hope you are enjoying the summer!
Hi Stargazer, thanks. Summer is going quickly so we must enjoy it. Clear is a pretty short & sparse novel so not sure what it’d sound like on audio. This was my first time with the Highland Clearances. See what you think of Leary’s essays … if you need a change of direction. It’s somewhat similar to Patchett’s book.
I hope all is well there. It’s time for Wimbledon … so I’ll be watching. Enjoy your weekend.
I always enjoy your reviews, even when they are about books that don’t necessarily appeal to me. Like these two. Nevertheless, it’s good to see that you enjoyed them and found them worthy.
Hi Dorothy, I’m glad you enjoy it — even when the books aren’t up your alley. I try to make it entertaining, lol. I hope your ankle is getting better and you’re able to up and about. Happy reading there.
Still hobbling but healing!
Good! You’re almost there. Keep going.
I read The Good House, right off the bat, when it was first published in, yes, 2013, but I’m pretty sure it was January 2013. And then, I don’t know how, but Leary fell off my radar. I have not seen the movie, and given the actors, I’m not sure I will, particularly given how much I loved the book.
But! I’m so glad to hear about this new book of Leary’s!
(I almost feel like going back and reading The Good House again.)
I’m so interested to hear everything about your reading, Susan!
Hi Judith, good to know. Many books on my piles here but I’ve been a bit slow. I guess Leary hasn’t been on my radar either — but then I saw this her new one and thought it sounded a bit irreverent and fun so tried it. See what you think.
The Good House has a bit of a funny protagonist in Hildy Good. I still remember her a bit. Enjoy your reads & summer!
Hi Susan, I am looking for a good collection of essays and I’ve Tried Being Nice sounds like just the thing. I like the fact that Ann Leary mixes funny light-hearted essays with rather serious essays about her life. And I definitely agree that when it comes to books we have to switch things around a bit. Too many dark books in a row requires a light-hearted book to break things up and then when we go back to the serious books we will enjoy them more.
Hi Kathy, exactly right. It’s best to mix up the dark books with the light for me. It’s good to break things up. You read various genres to do that … but sometimes I get stuck in a rut, so this was a bit fun to mix it up after the darkness of Kindred. See what you think of the Leary book. Maybe try Patchett’s essays too if you haven’t. Hope all is well there. Stay cool. & happy reading.
We always do a big 4th of July breakfast outside in our backyard…this year I think we have 18 people coming…friends and family. It’s pretty fun. And then in the evening we like to watch the fireworks. Enjoy Canada Day and the weekend! 😀
Hey Lark, that sounds great! What a wonderful gathering and 4th. I hope you have a blast. Wow 18 people! The fireworks are always entertaining and pretty to watch. Happy 4th!
And Thanks we have are having a pretty calm Canada Day weekend but might see fireworks on Monday. woohoo.
I was very intrigued by the title of your post: “I’ve tried being nice,” and I expected an anecdote about your (hypothetical) obnoxious neighbor or someone in a supermarket jumping the line or something like that where you showed forbearance. I admit I was surprised that it was a book title! I have not heard of that author or her actor-husband, but I’m sort of out of it for famous people. Anyway, I’ll try to be nice too, some people accuse me of writing negative comments, and I hope this isn’t perceived as one.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi Mae, ha … I sort of teased with my headline implying there would be some kind of anecdote when in fact it was just the book title. The author has a good line about what happens when you tell a person: “I’ve tried being nice …” which I should find & quote from. It’s sort of funny…. as well as the anecdote she tells.
I haven’t noticed you write negative comments — and none taken here. I’d rather you to be true to whatever you think. Cheers!
Enjoy your three day weekend! Our holiday falls on a Thursday this year, so it will create a slightly warped week.
Hi Mark, yeah a Thursday 4th of July … will be tricky. Does that mean that most people will take Thurs & Friday off? Enjoy it if you can. Have a Happy 4th.
You can add me to your #peoplepleaser list, Susan, but I’ve found as I’ve gotten old that I want to focus on being true in my pleasing. I’d love to be able to relinquish a little more of that desire to please and spend more time being true, but we’ll see if that comes about.
A palate cleanser sounds helpful right now in this world. I’m reading one myself, an early start to Paris in July. I struck Zola’s Germinal from my list for the month, so I may do nothing but eat dessert during the event.
Hi Deb, it’s okay for palate cleansers. You’ve already read most of the Paris books over the years, lol. Ok for desserts.
I hear you about the people pleasing. I think the author is trying to relinquish some of it too … and try for a bit more balance. I wish you luck with this and her and me as well. Just small steps perhaps. Enjoy your 4th.
I like memoirs where the author clearly has a sense of humor. I’m glad that Ann Leary’s work for you.
Both of those books sound GOOD! Adding them to my list.
Your outside activities sound delightful, except for yardwork. I’ll be one of the ones chained to their AC. lol