Monday Malarkey

Recent arrivals: 

• Glimmer Train, Fall 2016 (Issue 97) - Yep, that's the only arrival. I ordered a full year of Glimmer Train plus the issue that arrived last week, which is a back issue but one I intended to buy primarily because of David Abrams' short story. 

Books finished since last Malarkey:

• Just What Kind of Mother Are You? by Paula Daly - A book I saved specifically for a week when I was feeling slumpy and it did the trick!
• The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty - While I'm not certain whether I'll bother writing a full review of The Optimist's Daughter, I can tell you that I enjoyed it and was sometimes confused by it. But, the general feeling was, "I get this." I understood the mixed emotions of Laurel, the daughter of a judge who died, having experienced both the loss of both parents and the remarriage of one. And, the scenes with lots of locals and some visiting family from the second wife were so spot on I felt like I'd already been there. There is definitely a realness to the novel. 

Currently reading:

• The Paris Review, Edition 218 - Still reading this. I'm getting close to finishing, though. Last night, I read a short story by Ann Beattie, which was excellent, and a very thought-provoking poem. 
• Leveling the Playing Field by Rod Scher - This one lingered unread, this week, but not for lack of interest. I simply needed a mood breaker and focused my efforts on the suspense by Paula Daly. 
• LaRose by Louise Erdrich - I haven't gotten very far into LaRose because we went kayaking, again, and Sunday is my TV day (I bury myself in PBS on Sunday evenings) but I think it's going to be a very good read. "LaRose" is the name of a child. Personally, I think it's a terrible title with a worse cover, so I'm glad the contents are promising.

Posts since last Malarkey:

• Leaping Lemmings by John Briggs and Nicola Slater (children's book review)
• Carrying Albert Home by Homer Hickam (book review)
• Just What Kind of Mother Are You? by Paula Daly (book review)
• Fiona Friday - Cat Inception? (cat photo) 

In other news:

I updated my review policy, this week, but the only change was the removal of the notice saying I'm accepting absolutely nothing. I've been incredibly picky, hence the lack of arrivals, but I didn't realize I hadn't altered my review policy in a while, so . . . fixed. I doubt I'll be accepting many books for review, but I figured I might as well update. I like to do that about every 6 months or so.

There's not much other news. I'm still painting and I'm trying to spend more time at the gym. Today, the weather changed and I have a mild migraine so I'm not accomplishing much. I kind of hate days like today. And, I think the entire United States would like to skip right on past tomorrow, if that were possible. Regardless of the outcome, I'll be praying for a peaceful, united country in the days to come.

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