It was far too cold to take Bonnie out for a walk on Monday, It kept trying to snow all day but never settled, the wind made it feel even colder. We had planned on going to a local National Trust property, most have lovely grounds to walk in, although at the moment none of the houses or cafe's are open. There was a smattering of snow yesterday morning and still very cold but the wind had dropped and the sun came out for a while. I only went on a local walk, to the church at the bottom of road, back up and around the outskirts of the estate. I like walking when the weather is like this, cold and crisp with a bit of Winter sunshine, in fact, I prefer walking in this kind of weather than in the Summer. I always think when it's cold, you can wrap up against it and get warm and cosy, whereas when it's hot there is no way to get away from it. That's my logic anyway :-)
I finished my latest audio book while walking, The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
I almost changed my mind about choosing this one but I'm so glad I didn't, it was an excellent listen, the narration was by Julia Whelon and she did a brilliant job of bringing the story to life, I could picture everything so well.
Here's the blurb, (copied from Amazon)
Texas, 1934. Elsa Martinelli had finally found the life she’d yearned for. A family, a home and a livelihood on a farm on the Great Plains. But when drought threatens all she and her community hold dear, Elsa’s world is shattered to the winds.
Fearful of the future, when Elsa wakes to find her husband has fled, she is forced to make the most agonizing decision of her life. Fight for the land she loves or take her beloved children, Loreda and Ant, west to California in search of a better life. Will it be the land of milk and honey? Or will their experience challenge every ounce of strength they possess?
From the overriding love of a mother for her child, the value of female friendship and the ability to love again – against all odds, Elsa’s incredible journey is a story of survival, hope and what we do for the ones we love.
My knowledge of American history is near to none existent and I had certainly never heard of
The Dust Bowl, I had to go in search of more information.
The sign of a good book for me is when it makes you want to find out more, and this did, I love that.
I gave this book 5 stars, and I don't do that very often.
My bedtime reading was another one from Matt Haig, The Humans.
If you have read anything from Matt Haig you will know that his books are all different, he must have the most vivid imagination and insight to come up with his subjects.
(The blurb from Amazon)
After an 'incident' one wet Friday night where he is found walking naked through the streets of Cambridge, Professor Andrew Martin is not feeling quite himself. Food sickens him. Clothes confound him. Even his loving wife and teenage son are repulsive to him. He feels lost amongst an alien species and hates everyone on the planet. Everyone, that is, except Newton, and he's a dog.
Who is he really? And what could make someone change their mind about the human race . . . ?
This one might not be everyone's' cup of tea but I really enjoyed it, there was a lot of truth about humans in those pages.
I keep a list of everything I'm reading and listening to on Goodreads, there is a link in the sidebar.
See you soon, stay safe and warm
-X-
11 comments:
Four Winds sounds good but all Matt Haig books are positively weird!
I'm not sure either book is one I would read, but I do like the book reports, it's good to hear other opinions.
I do like Kristin Hannah so I will see if I can find this one. Thank you for the recommendation.
God bless.
I must admit that I have to really push myself to get out for a walk in this weather, it's just so cold at the moment and I hate the cold, even layered up to keep warm it seems to find its way into my very bones. Both books sound interesting but I doubt from the blurb they'd be books I'd pick up to read. It's a shame really as I bet there's lots of great books out there which I never give a chance. Decisions on whether to read a book or not are made on just a few lines on the back cover, that's why I really enjoy reviews.
Looks like a pretty walk, although I am not one for the cold. Love looking at our snow from inside my warm home :) Thanks for the book recommendation, Maggie--will definitely check out The Four Winds--the Dust Bowl era was such a devastating time for that part of the United States.
It's always lovely to get out into the fresh air and enjoy seeing new birth of Spring flowers .
It's lovely to see the spring flowers appearing, I've noticed a few on our walks
While a few (American) robins have returned to Pittsburgh, it's another few weeks before we'll be seeing any spring flowers. The past week has brought us two snowfalls over over 5" each and very cold temperatures.
The Dust Bowl was a very good example of man-made disasters. My mother had cousins who were trying to farm in Kansas during those years; some of the stories they told are horrible.
That church is lovely. I'm always entranced by the churches in England. The oldest one here in P'burgh is from about 1790; just a baby when compared to St. Mary's in Gloucester or York Cathedral. I think I spent three hours in York Cathedral studying the sculptures and reading about the plague and cholera graves.
I do like your first three photographs, they are lovely.
I have enjoyed some local walks and it's been nice to see the new shoots and buds coming through. I've had to wrap up warm though!
Yes, it has been very, very cold.
Stay safe, well and warm.
All the best Jan
It's lovely to see the signs of spring from your walks.
I must read 'The Four Winds'. It sounds like the kind of book I would enjoy.
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