September Book

mabug01

SteppingStones' turn to pick - are you still Ok with the Paris Wife? It sounds intriguing to me.

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain - Paris in the 1920's!

From the Amazon website: Paula McLain brings Hadley Richardson Hemingway out from the formidable shadow cast by her famous husband. Though doomed, the Hemingway marriage had its giddy high points, including a whirlwind courtship and a few fast and furious years of the expatriate lifestyle in 1920s Paris. Hadley and Ernest traveled in heady company during this gin-soaked and jazz-infused time, and readers are treated to intimate glimpses of many of the literary giants of the era, including Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, James Joyce, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. But the real star of the story is Hadley, as this time around, Ernest is firmly relegated to the background as he almost never was during their years together. Though eventually a woman scorned, Hadley is able to acknowledge without rancor or bitterness that "Hem had helped me to see what I really was and what I could do." Much more than a woman-behind-the-man homage, this beautifully crafted tale is an unsentimental tribute to a woman who acted with grace and strength as her marriage crumbled. --Margaret Flanagan

lenoresaari

It sounds good

steppingstones

Yes, The Paris Wife is good for me. I have the book. Check out the author's website, really fun.

My family has left and except for tons of laundry...I am looking forward to reading.

mabug01

This month I'm going to spend most of my time at brother's house in St. Petersburg. You're not going to believe this, but he has dial-up internet service. I may not be able to check in with you very often, but I'll be reading. I had to have my cat put down so I'm taking a breather to get away from the everyday doings.

steppingstones

Sorry to hear sad news about your pal and traveling companion. I do hope you have a great month visiting your brother and exploring St Petersburg.

Hadley will be interesting to discuss.

lenoresaari

Sorry about your cat. I am waiting for the Paris Wife from the library and in the meantime reading something else.

steppingstones

Hey gals,

Reading yet?

mabug01

Hi Diamond Gals,

I am reading - but I'm reading a different book. I picked it up at my brother's house and I can't put it down. Sometimes I'm just in the mood for an easy mystery and so I picked up David Baldacci's The Forgotten in paperback from Walgreens. It's just an easy, no hassle read with short chapters. So I feel bad about cheating on the group. :blushing: I'm also taking a short course at Mote Marine Laboratory about sea life so I'm doing some technical reading, too. How about you, Steppingstone? How do you like the Paris Wife? I wonder if L has received it from the library yet.

steppingstones

Hi Mabug,,

Glad you are having a good visit with your brother. Sometimes an easy read is just what is needed. I have just finished a couple of those with author JoJo Moyes and Marisa de los Santos. The course sounds intriguing.

I did like The Paris Wife. If you like reading about the hard drinking, fast living 20's and the misadventures of a doomed marriage..... Go for it. I am not giving too much away since we know this book is based on real life events and people. The book was a winner for me!!

If you or L ever get to read it I would be happy to chat about the book. It had lots of things to talk and rant about.
If not , we can just think ahead to October.

Happy week, Diamond Gals

mabug01

Yes, I started the Paris Wife and I'm on page 45. I'm enjoying it - they're still in the blush of an early, platonic romance. She has many warning signs, apparently she doesn't take heed to them! I like the writing style and I'll continue reading the book.

How do you feel about Oct-Dec? I know people get busy during these months. I'm moving back to California in October. Do you want to choose quick, fun books? Do you want to theme them (October - a Halloween mystery; November - something written about or during the Thanksgiving holiday; December - a book set during the holidays like a Christmas romance or mystery) ? Let's discuss what's best for everyone!

Mary

steppingstones

I am glad you are enjoying the book. I thought it was well written. I think she is oblivious to the warning signs because her life is so uneventful. Check out his photos. He was very handsome. Welcome home in advance.

Life does goes into overdrive over the next few months and your suggestion was good. Let's think about it. I have no ideas at the moment.

Did you enjoy the mystery? Have you read, The Language of Flowers?

lenoresaari

Yes i got the book and have started on Paris Wife. Things have finally settled down to an even pace in my life.
I am looking forward to reading it . Hope you all are doing well Diamond Gals.

steppingstones

Glad your schedule is easing up and you have some me time. Hope you enjoy the book.
M.

mabug01

L - I, too, am happy for you getting a little breathing room. You certainly deserve it.
S- I've not heard of Language of Flowers and there seems to be more than one book titled that; I wonder if you are referring to the novel or about the anthology?

I finished the Paris Wife and I absolutely loved it. When L is finished I'll post some thoughts about it.

steppingstones

Good Morning Diamond Gals,
L. Happy Reading. We can all chat about the book when you are finished. No pressure...enjoy the read.

M. Language of Flowers is a book by Vanessa Diffenbough. So glad you enjoyed The Paris Wife, me too. I always feel a little nervous when recommending a book. I hope you took a look at the authors' webpage, it is very interesting.

Have a great day everyone.
M

lenoresaari

Just checking in to say hi!! :happy:

mabug01

Hi L! Hi everyone! Driving through rainy Fl today. Was in St Pete and am making my way to south florida. Have a great day everyone.

lenoresaari

Hi Diamond Gals; well I completed this months reading and was absolutely absorbed by the whole book.
I love her writing style and the fact that it was based in fact was most interesting.

it also brought up alot of nostalgia for my grandmother who lived in that era and then again I rang true with
alot of feelings I have experienced in marriage personally.

You can choose next month as I am out of ideas at this time. But perhaps if I go to the library I can figure out
something for the one of the months in last three months of the year and let you know.

steppingstones

Glad we all enjoyed the Sept book. It stayed with me long after I closed the cover. Hadley evoked lots of mixed feelings. And Ernest was a cad. The author really brought the times and characters to life. Hadley had a happier life in the end. ( I had to check out the resources)

Do we want to explore a book for Oct. I am reading The Language of Flowers and I am finding it very good. Any ideas??? Do we want to take a break.? I enjoy sharing books with you and I vote to carry on

mabug01

I really felt for Hadley and I'm glad she ended up in a good place; I just wish she had married someone she loved the second time around. I think many old men go through a phase where they think their first wife was something special, but I wonder if it's just more about reminiscing than admitting a mistake. I know my ex-husband now does this.

If I were more familiar with the Hemingway books, I probably would have picked up tidbits from the story that mirrored occurances in his books. This book made me interested in A Moveable Feast, which I did download and will read sometime.

Isn't it amazing Americans could stay in other countries for so long? I don't think we can do that now; I mean you have to have visas and they limit your stay. And, I am curious if Bumby was an American, being born in Canada and then living abroad. I am assuming they brought papers to the American Embassy to have him declared a citizen and it would have been interesting to read about that experience in the book.

For folks who were poor, by their own estimation, isn't it amazing they could afford full time nannies and cooks? Those people must have worked for a mere pittance.

And I am thoroughly disgusted with Ernest for leaving Hadley for many reasons, not the least of which is the money. She was bringing in $2,000 a year and he was bringing in $1,000 according to the book. And he goes and cheats on her! I think it was because Pauline was richer, plain and simple. I visited their Key West home not long ago. It's very nice and much better than the apartments he shared with Hadley. I'm so glad she got the money from the Sun book, since that was his most popular one (hee-hee).