March in Review

March has been the longest month!  With the COVID-19 Pandemic, the shutting of stores and schools, all of my travels plans put on hold, and having to play teacher to my kids throughout the week while still holding down a job...it is no wonder I am looking like Grizzly Adams and feeling 10 years older!  In all seriousness I do wish everyone of you health and happiness during this unprecedented time.  

One high note of this past month: my daughter got cast in her first film, albeit a featured extra role. She was so excited and was able to work one day on the film.  I cannot expose the name of the film yet, but I can say it is a Hollywood feature being shot in Austin. Very proud of her!

With regards to the books I managed to read 5 total.  3 of of them National Book Award winners. And 1 of them a gift from a former co-worker.  Selections by Stone, Doerr, Doctorow, Doerr, and Hemingway.  All in all pretty good. 

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National Book Award - 1975
Dog Soldiers by Robert Stone
Signed First Printing
​****

Been excited about reading this one for awhile now, and it did not disappoint.  War, drugs, couter-culture, violence, fully-rounded characters, and perhaps a lesson hidden here and there.  More amazing than the depth and readability of this novel is the fact that this was Stone's first!  Highly recommend. 

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National Book Award - 1984
Stones For Ibarra by Harriet Doerr
First Printing
​***

I enjoy subtlety and classically-enriched works, and Stones has both of these qualities. Yet not without flaws. This novel, which is more like a collection of intertwined short stories, reminds me of works by Maugham, Naipaul, and Haruf. Full of delightful landscapes and interesting characters. The main character in this novel however has to be the village town of Ibarra, Mexico. The place that a middle-aged married couple decides to move, in order for the husband to re-open his grandfather's mine. It is a 'nice' story, yet boring at times. 

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National Book Award - 1986
World's Fair by E.L. Doctorow
Signed First Printing
****

I so enjoy Doctorow's poetic, historical, enriched novels! With this one he takes his readers into the heart of New York City during the tumultuous 1930's.  Seen through the eyes of a young boy, we get to experience life as a Jewish-American, suffer from the Great Depression, witness the promising future by seeing the Hidenburg fly over his home and the splendor and awe-spectacular World's Fair. A wonderful story indeed!

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The Shell Collector by Anthony Doerr
First Printing
​****

I became hooked on Anthony Doerr when I picked up his novel About Grace. This was before his Pulitzer winner: All The Light We Cannot See. His style is beautiful and truly all his own. Reading him is like cutting through butter with a hot knife.  

​In this collection of short stories, my favorites are:  "The Shell Collector", "The Hunter's Wife", and "The Caretaker". Highly recommend! 

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Bacchanalia by John Hemingway
Signed First Printing
​**

A former co-worker of mine is a friend of John Hemingway and he gifted me this novel. Yes, the author is related to Ernest Hemingway...grandson to be exact. This is a raucous story of Pamplona: bullfighting, bull-runs, drinking, eating, partying, and debauchery. Did I mention drinking and debauchery? It is a fun story at times yet very repetitive and sophomoric. Need an escape, especially during this quarantine, Bacchanalia is not a bad read.     

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What did you read in March?
What are you currently reading?
Anything you recommend?

Thank you and don't forget to check out my Goodreads Page!​