Hi. I hope everyone is doing well and had a good week. The big news is that this Monday I’m going to: (a) travel (b) cross the border (c) fly (d) all of the above. Yikes, I’m headed into the storm that is the Covid spread. I wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t necessary, but I need and would like to check in with my parents who my siblings and I are rotating visits with. And so I’m flying direct to Los Angeles masked-up and with sanitizer and then will quarantine alone for the allotted time in one place … before eventually going on to stay with them in another.
It’s complicated right? And the numbers in parts of the U.S. are not looking good. We’ve had a little spike here in western Canada the past week but nothing comparatively. If all goes well, I’ll be there a month and then return home to quarantine back in the North Country. See the Wild Prickly Rose pictured above … it’s the official provincial flower of Alberta.
I feel committed to steering clear of Covid … as en route I’ll be masked and geared up and once I arrive I’ll go into quarantine, staying inside alone for the allotted time. So we will go from there. It’s just something people need to do now. Have you traveled lately and done this? I’m not exactly looking forward to the procedure … but it’ll be great to see family. Meanwhile I’ve been busy this past week getting ready. My mind has been a bit distracted to read much, but audiobooks continue to keep me company during dog walks, yard work, and chores. Where would we do without audios?
Meanwhile the thunderstorms lately have been quite strong here; luckily they happen mostly during the evening hours, when we run around closing windows quickly. Which reminds me … did anyone catch Mary Trump on the Rachel Maddow show last night? Her book sold nearly a million copies the first day … holy smokes. So does that bode well for the election or not? I guess I don’t need to read her book to know … what we face with this president … but I support her for putting it out there. And I remain hopeful for change in November.
In other book news, I see that the publishing industry is moving more to diversify its ranks with new top executives at Simon & Schuster, Pantheon, and elsewhere. The New York Times article “In Publishing Everything Is Up for Change,” which came out this week, describes a “rare moment of transformation that promises to influence the books put out into the world.” “Ten years from now, I don’t think anything will look the same,” said Reagan Arthur, who was named publisher at Knopf in January. According to a diversity survey, it’s an industry whose work force is more than 75 percent white … so what’s happening now definitely could be a welcomed watershed moment in publishing and what books get the spotlight. What do you think? And now I’ll leave you with a review of what I finished lately.
The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve / Knopf / 2017 / 256 pages
Why I Picked It Up: This was author Anita Shreve’s last novel as she passed away in 2018 from cancer. A blog I read had recommended it … and I was midway into the audiobook of it before realizing … it wasn’t in my typical reading zone. It’s a bit of a romantic kind of story, which is not a genre I usually pick up … but I finished it nonetheless.
Synopsis: Set in a coastal town in Maine in 1947, the novel is about a woman named Grace with two young children who’s caught in a loveless, uncommunicative marriage to Gene … when a colossal forest fire rips through towns along the coast and Grace with her children and neighbor Rosie (and her kids) must race into the sea to try to survive the flames. Grace’s husband who’s out at the time doesn’t come back and is listed as missing, while Grace in the aftermath moves with her children and mother into her deceased mother-in-law’s house, which was one of the few houses spared. Little by little, Grace gains some independence after the chaos of the fires, rebuilding her life: with work at a clinic and a brief fling with a tenant. All is boding well, until an event happens that changes her trajectory and takes away the little she’s gained since putting her life back together.
My Thoughts: The story is based on actual forest fires in 1947 that wiped through nine coastal towns of Maine, which according to the New England Historical Society: destroyed 851 homes and 397 seasonal cottages, leaving 2,500 people homeless and killing 16. I had no idea about this real life disaster, which the author builds the novel around … so I was interested to know about it and could picture what happened all too well. It reminded me of the fires in Northern California in 2018.
The story is a bit of a period piece delving into mothers’ lives back then (post-war), full of housework, parenting, and not much else once stuck in an unhappy, bad marriage. I thought the story was all right as light summer fare, even if there are a few plot turns that seem a bit implausible. As I said, it was more of a romantic-lite kind of tale than I was expecting, but its simplicity and drama worked enough during these pandemic times. It didn’t strain the brain … just moved along with its drama to its more hopeful end.
I also finished Elizabeth Strout’s 2019 novel “Olive, Again,” but I think I will wait till next time to review that. I just realized both Strout’s and Shreve’s novels are set in Maine. So I guess my mind was on Maine this past week. It’s a beautiful state, though I’ve only spent time there once long ago.
That’s all for now. What about you — what’s been on your mind, or happening in your world?
You are truly a good daughter to go through all that to check up and check in with your parents. I wish you a safe journey and hope the quarantine isn’t too hard. If you want to call me while in LA, email me for my phone #. How smart you are being about it all.
My Bookie Babes reading group read quite a lot of Anita Shreve back in 2002 and 2004. I liked some of her early books but like you, romance is not my favorite genre. I am glad it kept you entertained.
One of my friends has a cottage in Maine and many friends there. She usually goes every summer but did not go this year. Then she fell into a depression, which she is prone to anyway, so I and another friend had to keep her going with little friendly email messages. I have read lots of books set in Maine and always wanted to go. I keep telling my husband we could take a REALLY long road trip and go there someday.
How nice of you Judy, I’ll let you know how quarantine goes & be in touch. It’s quite an operation but will be worth it. And indeed Maine would be a very long road trip, ha. It’s a cool place … and some good novels are set there. hmm. Hope you are enjoying your reads this month.
Good luck with your trip! I know it is necessary but I still think you are being very brave. We are back in lockdown right now, and as such we aren’t allowed to go anywhere. I don’t mind the idea of having to quarantine when I come home, but the idea of having to quarantine on arrival at the destination would put me off even if we were able to travel anywhere.
Thanks Marg, it should be all right following all the rules. I agree about the quarantining. Not easy. It’s better to stay put. Hope your city won’t get too many new cases. Stay well.
Safe travels to you and I hope you find your parents well. It sounds as though you have all the bases covered when comes to taking all possible precautions against the virus. If only everyone here would be half that careful we would not be in the mess we are currently in.
Thanks Dorothy, yeah it’s best if we all go the extra mile to avoid the spread of the virus. It’s been surprising some of the reactions in the States … and the mess we are in. Stay well.
Safe travels and stay healthy. I second Judy’s comment about what a good daughter that you are.
I did not see Mary Trump on Rachel Maddow. I would have liked to have seen it. It Is good that she is not being censored anymore. I agree that we already have a very clear picture of what is in The White House.
Thanks Brian for the support. Yeah we know what’s in the WH and I’m worried what he’s going to try to pull … right before the election. Very worried. hmm. Stay well there.
I’ll also echo that you’re a great daughter and know you’ll enjoy being with your parents when you’re through the travel and quarantine. Lots of hoops to jump through, but we’re all doing things we didn’t imagine doing 6 months ago, right? Take such good care and it sounds like you’ve got a great plan.
Hey thanks Kay. So nice of you to say. I agree it’ll be worth it in the end. Just need to follow the plan. Hope you are doing well where you are. Stay safe.
You are a wonderful daughter to endure all that to be with your parents, be well x
I hope the wider racial/cultural representation among staff does make a difference. I’d also like to see changes that encourage wider socioeconomic representation with paid internships etc
Wishing you a great reading week
Hi Shelleyrae: thanks for the support about the trip and the insight about the book industry changes. It sounds like they’re finally making changes this time. I’ll keep you posted how it goes. Hope things are better there.
So, you’ll have to quarantine for two weeks in a hotel and then go stay with your folks? It does sound complicated, but I’m think you’ll feel so much better that you have done this, once you are able to see your parents face-to-face. Where abouts will you be staying? I have family in Manhattan Beach and they’ve been having pretty decent weather. We have not done any traveling other than a very short little trip about 90 minutes away from home. We had to take our RV into the dealership for routine maintenance, but also to inspect the roof for any problems. They found a few spots that needed to be re-caulked, so I’m glad we took the time (and minor risk) to have that done. I would have hated to have a leaky roof (and water damage to the RV) had we put it off! We spent two nights at the RV park at the dealership and have very limited contact with the service people. We ate all our meals in the RV, with the exception of one take-out lunch. It was nice to get away, if only for two nights, but it made me long for a longer road trip. Maybe later this fall…
It’s been a long time since I’ve read anything by Anita Shreve and I have an older copy of Testimony on my shelves. Maybe I’ll add it to my summer reading stacks. I’m currently engrossed in one of the latest by Louise Penny (Kingdom of the Blind), which I can’t put down. She is such a remarkable writer and I hope she never runs out of material for this series!
Take care and keep us posted on your travels!
Hey thanks Lesley. Glad you got your RV checked out, so it’ll be ready to go for next time. It is nice to get away … though not a great time right now. I’ll be flying to L.A. but then staying at a place in the OC before visiting with my folks in Redlands. I have a brother & niece in the area too but won’t be able to see till after the quarantine business. I’m glad you are enjoying Louise Penny’s books … good fun. I hope to be reading a lot while there … but will keep you posted. take care.
I would love to read the Anita Shreve book, thanks for sharing that. Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kettiridge books are on my reading list for this year. Hope to get to it soon.
Safe travels this week! Here’s my The Sunday Post
Hi Mareli — thanks for stopping by. I will definitely check out your site. The Anita Shreve book went down easily and the Olive Again book was enjoyable. I think you’ll like them.
A visit to your parents sounds very complicated, and I admire you for being willing to undergo all of that for them. That is a lot of quarantining. A very thorough job. I get very frustrated after being so careful personally to hear people, especially people in my family, refuse to take precautions. Be careful once you are here. I don’t go anywhere in my town except on an outdoor walk because of all those people who disregard science and rational thinking.
I waver when I think about the election. I live, surrounded by people who adore DT. Baffling. Completely baffling. And discouraging. I am nervous about what will happen in November. I never dreamed America could elect such a person as president.
Anita Shreve was on my list of favorite authors when I was a young mother. Her books are always light. I haven’t read an Anita Shreve in many, many years now. Thanks for sharing it with us. I suspect many of us are looking for light reads.
I am very interested in hearing what you thought about Olive, Again. I am a big fan of Olive Kitteridge. I’m pretty sure Olive lives somewhere in my town. She is such a complex character. I didn’t want to read Olive, Again; I don’t generally like sequels. But I did. I won’t say any more until I hear what you think.
Hi Deb: thanks for the support & advice about the trip. I’ll be extra cautious. And I agree with you … I’m baffled and upset why the current president was ever elected. It’s incredible that you live in place with his supporters.
As for Olive Again, I enjoyed the book — and I was ultimately glad she returned — I am an Olive fan (from the first book) … but I will wait to write a review to figure out where I stand completely. Enjoy your week.
I hope your trip to California goes well. You might even wear gloves on the flight. I haven’t traveled, but my daughter will next month when she flies back to NY (with a 2-week quarantine upon arrival). I am in Santa Barbara where our numbers are going up so I hope your California experience is a safe one.
Thanks Helen. Yeah the numbers are not looking good for Southern Cal but I don’t intend to be out and about once I get there. I’ll wear gloves & mask on the flight too. It’s a weird time to be flying / not great. I hope SB numbers don’t rise too much. Stay well.
Traveling is not fun anymore. We haven’t gone anywhere farther than 30 mins from home since February. We actually vacationed in Nashville during a long weekend. So close to when the numbers were going to start rising in US. That was our last big fun. We are now considering how to get my husband’s father safe home to India and if our parents should even consider traveling here this year. For the former, we don’t have a choice as his stay is already extended by couple of months and we want to make every effort to get him a flight home. But it’s scary. He does have to quarantine in a hotel for 2 weeks before he will be allowed to get to his destination.
Good luck with your travels. I know I’ll be very worried making such a trip, especially when you’re coming in from a country that’s taking more precautions and keeping the numbers low into one that pretends there is no pandemic (some times, no most of the time).
Thanks Athira. Gosh I feel for your father getting back to India. It’s so far. It is scary in all the uncertainty. We just have to reduce the risk as much as possible. Wear all the equipment and distance as much as possible, then quarantine. Keep us posted on his plans to get back. I will let you know how it goes on this trip.
As involved as the quarantine procedure is, do not let your guard fall short when you see the dozens of people in the OC who are not following guidelines. Easy, breezy, not a care in the world and yet out of control petri dishes. When you are around those people you will feel silly with the mask but keep it on my friend. I am so glad you can enjoy some family time but I am not proud of Southern California AT ALL.
I like what you say Ti. I will not let down my guard while at the OC. I owe it to my parents … who I plan to visit after in Redlands. I had a good careful flight today … and everyone was wearing masks (even at LAX). I was at my destination in no time and feel I avoided the virus, but I will stay put and shelter in place to make sure that I didn’t get it en route etc. So far, so good. Thanks for your advice and I understand your frustration with those not following rules. Crazy!
I hope your trip went well! I might have to fly in October, and I’m not looking forward to it. I’m trying to figure out if it’s even possible to do safely. I don’t want to make the situation in the US worse!
Hi AJ: my trip flying went better than expected so I’m pleased (everyone wore masks!). Right now I’m just hanging out till it’s safe to visit my folks. All is well. You’ll have to see how travel is in Oct. It’s not the easiest … but perhaps it can be done if lots of precautions taken.
Safe travels! Wow. It’ll be tough but I hope you are able to do so safely and then be with your family! I look forward to hearing how everything is going soon.
We have no plans for travel. Just trying to figure out ways to still get out of the house safely but not travel too far. Hugs from my neck of the woods!
Hey thanks Heather for the support! It’s better not to travel now … but I did it … and it went better than I expected. The plane was pretty empty & everyone had masks on. Right now I’m in quarantine — hanging out till things seem safe to see my folks. All is well. It’s weird to travel — first time in Feb. We’ll see how it goes. take care.