Elementary

I did complete Arthur & George earlier this week and while I enjoyed the book, I was left with several questions regarding parts of the novel which seemed to be left unaddressed at the book's final pages. My book lender is out of town so I must patiently (?!) await her return in order to talk through those points. I do think it would make a very animated discussion book for a book club. A comment by The Seattle Times calls the work "an accomplished duet," however I rather feel that much of the book would be classified as two solos before culminating in the foreshadowed duet for conclusion. Julian Barnes writes about each of the characters independently in headings which rotate chiefly between "Arthur" and "George" with the occasional "Campbell." A small intro to the book can be read here.

Another option if you'd prefer the non-fiction variety of the tale would be Conan Doyle and the Parson's Son: The George Edalji by Gordon Weaver.

J is for July

Tom Robbins, author of our book selection for July, is a challenge to summarize from sources other than Wiki. He was born in Blowing Rock, NC in 1936 and has published a number of novels with witty titles including Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates, Jitterbug Perfume, Still Life with Woodpecker, Skinny Legs and All, and Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. If you would like to get a feel for his voice and a few minutes’ insight into his personality, I’m listing below a few links to peruse.

• Interview in late April 2009 by Minnesota Public Radio
• Anecdote (in two parts) about a trip to Cuba with James Lee Stanley
• Interview from January Magazine discussing Fierce Invalids…
  

I'm looking forward to the read.

Sunset 8:06 pm

I know many of you are now accustomed to the random thoughts which enter my head. Today, while cleaning the stovetop, I was thinking about the Farmer’s Almanac. While growing up, we always had a Farmer’s Almanac calendar, usually sponsored by one of the town’s funeral homes. We would typically have our first introduction to the calendar rolled up into a small cylinder bound by a rubber band. It would usually take several turns to roll the calendar counter to the original binding in order to get the paper to lie flat against the wall. The calendar was fairly simple with six pages printed front and back (green before its time). We could have the sunrise, sunset, fishing data, and various other recommendations on planting at our very fingertips. Most of the calendar was black and white print with holidays marked in red.

While searching for an image that I might include for reference, I found a Greeneville, TN company which has been producing calendars since 1896. It’s likely that my childhood calendar was made by AmerICan Calendars, and I am amused that I have only made this connection many years later, although I do distinctly remember the funeral home’s name.

In the event you like to be guided by the Almanac, today is a good day to can fruits and vegetables, to mow, and to do a few other things which are only appropriate if you have livestock.

July Going By

As Alfred might have said, "Now I think we've come to the part of the show" (or blog) where I remind you that our book for the month is B is for Beer by Tom Robbins.

In traditional fashion, I'm going to try to squeeze in one more read before tackling our book for our next meeting. One of my neighbors has allowed me to borrow a copy of Arthur & George by Julian Barnes. I think there could be a hint of mystery in my future. Intriguing, indeed.