Currently Listening To: Saint-Saëns, Carnival of the Animals


Recently Read and Enjoyed:  Besides the pile of children's books I'm making my way through, I've been reading quite a few Anna Katharine Green mysteries (still!).  What a deft hand at plot is Green!  Dark Hollow is the most recently read Green.  It was so well-paced and the characters so compelling.  So glad I stumbled across Green by accident.  


Also, some poetry has made its way off the reading pile.  I've just finishing reading (and found myself thoroughly impressed by) Stephanie Bolster's new book of poems, A Page From the Wonders of Life On Earth.  Zoos as mirrors, life and echoing art . . . an intriguing collection of poems!  Such a great eye for the telling image.  The poignant thrust of the well-timed line.  And doesn't that cover just make you want to delve in?

Currently Reading:  For some reason that I've yet to pin down, I've started in on a bio of Mozart.  Now, I can appreciate Mozart intellectually, but he doesn't occupy that place in my heart reserved for Bach and Beethoven.  I realize he was a genius, that he changed (with some assistance) the musical landscape, as it were, but still.  No, I'm not a Mozart fan (perhaps I was unduly influenced by that hilarious but off-putting laugh attributed to Mozart in the film Amadeus? I hope not, seems shallow :).  So why the bio? A few years ago, Mr. Inkslinger tossed the book my way and thought I might like it as it comes at Mozart from the direction of the women in his life.  Hmm, I thought. That might do.  And then I promptly forgot about it.  Well, I've remembered it now and I'm about halfway through Mozart's Women: His Family, His Friends, His Music by Jane Glover and enjoying it quite a bit.  His poor sister, though.  Stuck at home or in a stressful marriage while Mozart goes about creating musical revolutions.  

And I'm still reading Helen Humphreys great new novel The Reinvention of Love.  I'm going slow, enjoying the prose, taking in the interesting way she has arranged the narrative (more on this when I've finished reading the book).  I've moved beyond love affairs and duels and am now in the section where Saint-Beuve is struggling for his art.  Alas poor Saint-Beuve, ever in the shadow of Victor Hugo.


Currently Anticipating:  A low-key, but family-filled Thanksgiving weekend. We'll have a vegetarian roast beast, some lovely potatoes (Mr. Inkslinger makes perfectly mashed potatoes) and veggies, and a yummy cherry pie.  That's the plan, anyway.  I'm sure laughter and much chatting will be involved as well.  Not to mention other eatables.