I counted the days I have left of Summer. Do you know how many are left?
Eleven.
Eleven days before I have to end this bliss I’ve been living called ride-my-Cannondale-as-much-as-I-can-in-90+-temperatures, read-as-many-books-as-I-can-while-I-have-the-time, grab-a-moment-with-the-heir-apparent-between-when-he-gets-up-and-when-he-goes-to-work.
Soon I’ll be sweating-to-death-in-the-classroom, going-to-meetings-and-collecting-data-ad-nauseum, and asking-Jerod-to-get-out-from-under-the-table. Wait. It’s a new year. This year, Jerod won’t be under my table.
I loved July. Did you love July? Did you read and read and read? Did you read anything for Paris in July II? I did! I read A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway, The Paris Wife by Paula McLain, Night Flight by Antoine de St. Exupery, and the first story in Mavis Gallants’ collection Paris Stories. (Not enraptured or else I’d have read more.)
But, it’s not over yet even though July is over. As of 11:59 p.m. today. I am still going to read and review Tout Sweet, a book about a fashion designer from London who “hangs up her heels for a new life in France”.
Don’t tempt me, Karen, I just may have to hang up my chalk and come join you.
Bellezza – July doesn't have to end at all! I have loved your posts (even if somewhat absent from comments) and particularly enjoyed your Hemingway reviews and others. I know returning to work is inevitable, but we always have the books…. Savour every moment you have left with your books, cannondale and son!
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Love the "Jerod" part :)) Well, I did read some books while also trying to write for my thesis, so it was not a very holidaylike month 🙂 Oh, and I finished The Lake, (the review, as promised, in a day or two) but unfortunately, I found out about Paris in July too late to start on any book… But I did listen to some French music and read Marc Levy and "Why French Women don't get fat" by Mireiile Guiliano this June 🙂 Have great summer days!
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The summer is just flying by! I hope you enjoy the time you have left. 🙂
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My bike is also my commute, It's a Specialized Langster (2010) in that bright Ferrari red that just glows in the sun, a lipstick bright. Enjoy your new term & enthuse your students, as you surely can & if they get rowdy hit them with a Lipogram.
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I'm right there with you. I have eight more days before I climb back into the saddle. I'd love to take off for a quick trip to France. Just added Tout Sweet to my wishlist. Thank you.Here's my Sunday Salon for this week: Sunday Salon: How to Read, Use, and Abuse Beautiful and Pointless Novels Like a Professor And a reminder: Today is the last day for you to throw your hat into the ring for my July Giveaway! Win a $25 Amazon gift card!
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Oh, I hear the teacher angst, Bellezza. Have the back to school dreams started yet? And people think those are only for children! Take a deep breath and live fully in those 11 days, I say.Wish I could have participated more in Paris in JUly but loved the posts.
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Tamara, you're absolutely right! With the end of July, reading about Paris need not necessarily end as well. What a fabulous 'challenge' you and Karen have hosted these past two years; can you call something you enjoy with all your heart a challenge? 😉
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Ally, I love the "Jerod" part now that I no longer have to deal with it; he took a piece out of me last year which I'm still trying to close up. 🙂 Why French Women Don't Get Fat is a good book, but I think she forgot to mention that a big reason is that they use tablespoons in place of serving spoons. However, I like the point that diet food in France is not low sugar/low fat as much as it is small portion. And listening to French music? Wonderful idea!
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Kailana, it's as good as gone. I'm glad I love autumn and winter best! Happy last days of summer to you, too.
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Parrish, I once read that the way Ferrarri gets that red is to paint the cars five coats of red then put on a final coat of iridescent pink for the glow. Whatever they do, they do it right, and I love the image of you riding such a bicycle to work. And, hitting them with a lipogram? Great idea! I know I'll do that this year, thanks for reminding me.
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Dab Nance, it's so fun that so many of us are teachers (or, at least involved in the education system). I don't mean I don't love my job, I do. I just don't like the accompanying detritus. Or, the ridiculous heat we have to suffer in our elementary buildings. Thanks for offering the July give-away to your readers!
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I did love July. I basically wasted the entire month, did almost nothing productive, read lots of detective novels and pulpy science fiction type stuff with very little redeeming social value. It's been years since I had so much fun. ;=)But, back to work this week setting up the classroom. Even though I teach 12-14 year-olds, I still get the occasional student under the desk. Sometimes I think, 'You know, you're right, let's all sit under our desks for today.'
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Frances! I thought I was the only one with Back to School Dreams! The all time worst was when I dreamt I came to school naked, don't ask me where that came from! But, I've also dreamt that I'm standing before the class on the first day and not one thing is prepared. Nothing! That's almost as bad. When do you go back? I'll be looking forward with great anticipation to your Novella Challenge reading, as well as your return to school.
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C. B. James, hilarious! Let's do it! Let's sit under our desks, with huge mugs of coffee, and let the children ask us to come out! 🙂
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Summers do seem to get shorter and shorter. I remember when summer ended the end of August!
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Summer just flew by and I've read only a couple of books, not nearly as many as I would have liked.
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11 days? School starts too early these days if you ask me.
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I did love July. It seemed to last forever and it was wonderful!
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School so soon!? I just sent out a tweet and it said I'm reading, finally, Amy Chua's Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom… could be Back-to-school read for parents. 😉
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I'm in the same boat — my year begins when I get to our annual meeting in August 😦 But summer was fabulous, and July was lovely. I didn't participate in Paris in July, but I did get inspired to read my first Zola title because of all the lovely posts!
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I can't believe another summer has almost gone by. My son starts his last year of high school on August 15th and I think we are both counting down our precious last days of summer before school begins!
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Awww: keep living it up while you can! 🙂 I really want to read Moveable Feast now. And when shall we start Mathilde? I'm ready when you are!
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I know summer ends so early for those with children and those who teach, but I like to think of summer stretching out until mid-September. When I was in school, summer didn't end until after Labor Day! So, as far as I'm concerned, I still have over a month to play! 🙂 I'm sorry you have to return to school so soon. I'll bet Jerod misses you this year. :)Tout Sweet looks like a fun read, if only judging it by the cheery cover art. I've hardly been on my bike this summer. Far too hot and humid!! Maybe I'll log a lot of miles this fall.
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Harvee, I remember when summer ended at the end of August, too! We'd often go away, like to Europe for the month of August. Now I'm back in the classroom in the middle of August.However, I am glad to meet the children, and I am glad to have a job, so I don't mean to sound ungrateful.
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Terra Madre, it seems I've been reading much of the summer (we didn't go anywhere, afterall, and it's been far too hot and humid to ride my bicycle every day)…but still, how does ever read as much as one wants to? 🙂
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Bermudaonion, if you ask me, too!
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Marie, I hope you weren't as warm in Boston as we were outside of Chicago. It was absolutely miserable for the past few weeks, and it doesn't look like there will be a respite any time soon. August in Chicago, or February…I'll take the later any day!
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Arti, I'm really looking forward to your thoughts on Tiger Mother. I must say, from what I've heard, and from the children I've taught, she seems to have a point. The Asian mothers, and I'm including the Indian ones here as well, are incredible at raising fine children (which I understand is a gross generalization on my part, it's just what I see within the walls of my classroom).
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Col, I'm curious as to which Zola you'll read. Last year's Paris in July inspired me to read Terese Raquin, which I was crazy about! I'll be thinking of you when we're both in all of our meetings. 😦
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Kathleen, a senior! Well, at least you'll have a very exciting year with all the traditions being a Senior brings…college hunts, graduations, parties, wonderful events I'm sure.
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Eva, I'm so excited about reading Mathilde with you! Shall we plan on posting nearer to the end of the month than early? I have some books I agreed to review, but I'm good after th 17th. How does it sound to post on the 20th of August?
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Les, I agree. It's nice to think of summer extending through September (which it does, by the calendar, right?) and into Indian Summer. Love the colors and cooler temperatures of Fall, though. :)I haven't been on my bicycle lately but once or twice a week. I'm so much more susceptible to head now that I'm 50! I go early in the morning or not at all. Another reason to look forward to the season change.Tout Sweet looks like such a fun read. It's been a best seller in the UK, so that's always an extra good sign. I'll post a review as soon as I finish it.
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Summer is so not flying by for me, but I'm sure teachers and students would disagree. School has already begun, here. I feel for anyone who must ride a bus home in the afternoon. Our heat indexes have consistently been between 114 and 119, this week, although it's only in the upper 90s to low 100s. I got a copy of The Lake when the e-book was on sale, recently, so I'm looking forward to that. But, the heat is melting my brain and I can't seem to finish a thing.
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I just posted a review on the Goodreads site about my take on Tiger Mom. I won't say anything here but sure like to see what you think of my view. Here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/3bd424g
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Interesting comment on PARIS STORIES. I am now on the fourth story. (I don't sit and read story after story – the book's not like that for me). I will take my time reading these; perhaps your saying that you're not "enraptured" is hitting the nail right on the head. Or, it's too soon to tell – I dunno. She sure is famous as one of the great short stories writers; perhaps too much of another time. I press on.and you have named several others I MUST read! great entry. My TBR stack will thank you, too!
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Bookfool, the heat is melting my brain as well. It seems the longer summer goes on, the less motivation I have to do anything! I force myself to get up to have coffee with my husband, and then I kind of wander around the house becuase it's too hot to ride my bicycle (and it's definitely too hot to sort out any closets, right?)! I can't imagine how you endure such high heat indexes in Mississippi; you have my complete sympathy.
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Arti, I'm coming over to see your review on the Tiger Mom right now.
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Oh, I know Mavis Gallant is well famed for her short story writing ability, but I've got to say so far? I don't get it. Maybe it's the wrong place/wrong time kind of thing for me. I hope you're faring better. It sounds that you are, as you read more than I did!
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