I started reading The House on Boundary Street by Tea Cooper for review. It is set in 1920s Sydney in the aftermath of the Great War. It's interesting because the book was originally published under the title Jazz Baby but has apparently been revised and expanded. I do find it interesting when this happens to a book because I wonder how the author goes about such a process. Were there scenes that were left out the first time around, or has the author thought of something new to add? What was taken out? Or is it a chance to fix some anachronisms? What makes them look at an old book and think I am going to have another go at that story?
Otherwise I am still reading Henrietta's War and listening to The Moon Sister.
I watched....
I finished watching two things this week! Hurrah!
The first was Sweet Magnolias which was based on the books by Sherryl Woods. It's interesting that the series ended on such a cliffhanger when as I understand it there is no guarantee of a second series. I hope that there is because it was easy watching.
The second was Normal People.What a good adaptation this was of the book which I listened to a few weeks ago. It's full of angst and emotion and is very watchable. It feels like it sticks to the book pretty well, including the structure, skipping forward months at a time and the looking back, and the ending, which I think made more sense in the TV show than it did in the book.
Wait, we actually finished watching three things. The third one was Bake Off: The Professionals, which is a show that we love watching. We will never be able to recreate any of the creations at home because they are super complicated but it is amazing to watch what the professionals are able to create in a limited time, and we love watching the judges as they taste and critique the bakes in a very entertaining way.
We also started watching a New Zealand show called The Casketeers. I thought it was a specifically written comedy but it is actually a reality series which follows a funeral director as he goes about his daily business. While it doesn't sound like it would be funny, it really is because of the people who work there. And it is delightful because of the way that he deals with the people he is taking care of. He is very respectful of the people concerned, both those who have passed and those that are left behind.On Saturday night, we sat and watched the movie Gladiator. The funny thing about that is that this was the first ever DVD that I bought back in the day,and yet I had never, ever watched it. It is one of my husband's favourite movies ever so I guess it was only time before I watched it.
In Life
The number of COVID cases here has increased so they are reimposing some of restrictions that were starting to be lifted.
It has been a very average week in lots of ways. Less said about that the better.
One of the things that I did have to celebrate this week is that I completed 500 playlists on Songpop. This is a music game where you listen to a piece of music and have to choose either the artist or song title from a list, and be faster than the person you are playing. It's taken me a very long time to get to 500 so that's something small to celebrate right?
Watching Sweet Magnolias is on my "viewing to do" list. Sounds like it was worth watching. I haven't watched The Casketeers but I have heard others saying its worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteSweet Magnolia is an easy watch Kathryn!
DeleteI've heard a lot of people saying good things about sweet Magnolia! Glad it was good. And hopefully the COVID cases don't get too bad...
ReplyDeleteCongrats on songpop!!
Thanks for the congrats! You have to celebrate the small things right.
DeleteI never heard of Songpop butbi want to nm play! Sounds interesting and entertaining. We love music, listen to it about 4 nights on average with a glass of wine or bourbon.
ReplyDelete500 songs, go you!
I haven't seen Gladiator in years, we like that one. I love Master and Commander with Russell Crowe as well.
I play a lot Tina! It's what I do when I should be reading.
DeleteCan't seem to get into watching TV much, news or otherwise. Too anxiety inducing, lol.
ReplyDeleteIt very much depends on what I am watching Harvee! Definitely leaning more towards light and fluffy at the moment.
DeleteI loved Sweet Magnolias, and that cliff hanger had me biting my nails, wondering if there would be another season.
ReplyDeleteI liked the miniseries Normal People more than the book. The writing style put me off, with no quotation marks around dialogue. Sigh.
Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.
I listened to the book Laurel-Rain so I didn't notice the lack of quotation marks!
DeleteI’m getting very tempted to pick up Normal People. It doesn’t really sound like my kind of book, but I’m curious to know what the hype is about. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Every now and again a book that isn't your normal kind can be a nice surprise.
DeleteSounds like you are keeping busy. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteTrying to keep as occupied as possible Kathy!
DeleteI find I am always overwhelmed when watching baking shows. Love them but can rarely find them reproducible at home. True for any cooking show for that matter. But it's fun to watch what possibilities there are and how resourceful everyone is with their creations.
ReplyDeleteSorry that the Covid numbers are rising there again. Sadly that's the case here as well.
I am not usually overwhelmed but that doesn't necessarily mean that I am ready to try the recipes! lol
DeleteI do not watch a lot of reality television, but I do like the sound of The Casketeers. It's been ages since I last saw Gladiator! I hope you enjoyed it. The number of COVID cases where I live has risen too, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a good week!
I didn't mind it really! i am not the hugest Russell Crowe fan,but every now and again I can watch him
DeleteOur numbers are going up too -- I guess that means more baking. LOL
ReplyDelete