Hey, guys. So sorry I flaked on you last week for Monday reading – and Wednesday’s post. The fact is, I was under the weather. I’m back to 100% now, but it did get me thinking about the blog, weirdly. I’ve always been very intentional about what I share here – in my weekend recap posts and in other posts. I share exactly as much as I am comfortable with (both here and on the socials) and no more. And as I was laying around feeling sorry for myself, I found myself thinking about sharing, and not wanting to share, and I decided that – at least for the time being – I am going to change up my weekend recap posts; that is to say, I’m not going to do them, and I’m just going to focus on what I’ve been reading and what I have coming up to read. And a pic from the week at the end of the post. And that’s it. (Do you all really want to read another post about a local hike, baseball, swim lessons, and Girl Scouts, anyway?) Not to say I’ll never go back to the other format, but I just want to try something new for awhile and see if I like it.

I had big plans to get all kinds of reading done over my sick days, but it mostly didn’t happen. I did finish The Song of the Lark, by Willa Cather (for the Classics Club Challenge), so expect a review soon. It was beautifully written, of course – that’s to be expected – but felt like a book to read at a slower pace, and when you’re feeling kind of icky and the reading speed tanks, well, it’s a recipe for taking a week over a book when you normally wouldn’t, know what I mean? Anyway, I finally did finish it and turned to some nature writing, which felt like just what the doctor ordered: Lev Parikian’s journey through the year, viewed through the lens of 72 microseasons, Light Rains Sometimes Fall: A British Year Through Japan’s 72 Seasons. (Note that he actually gives the microseasons British names, although he also includes the traditional Japanese microseasons for each chapter.) Again, probably down to me being sick, but it took awhile to get through this. I enjoyed every page, though.

Once I was on the mend, the reading pace picked up. (Maybe the slower pace did have something to do with not feeling in top shape?) The Darling Buds of May over a couple of days, and then the 70th anniversary edition of J.B. Priestley’s classic essay collection, Delight, over a couple of days. I intended to read through the entire Larkin family series in one go, but after one book I needed a break (heartily sympathizing with Charley).

Not sure what I have on deck, if I’m being perfectly honest. The weather is heating up around here, but I’m still feeling the spring reading, so I’ll stick with that a bit longer – maybe Tom’s Midnight Garden, maybe Rhododendron Pie, maybe something else? It’ll be a game-time decision; we’ll just see what my hand grabs in the moment.

Leaning over the boardwalk railing at Mason Neck State Park this weekend: pollen and lilypads, oh my.

What are you reading this week?