Monday, May 5, 2008

The Perfect Weekend

For the first time in quite a while I didn't have anything that I had to do over the weekend. For a change, the weather was really nice, too. The pattern lately has been beautiful weather all week, and then cool and rainy on the weekend. So, it was a nice change to have sunny, warm weather for the entire weekend. Saturday morning, my husband and I went out to a few antique shops and also stopped by a couple yard sales that advertised that they had books for sale. I brought home a few treasures. I meant to take a picture of them, but forgot. I hate I forgot because the covers on several of the books were really nice. Here's a list of my treasures for which I think I spent around $4.00:

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (classic; one of my book clubs is reading this for May)
A Rose in Bloom by Louisa Mae Alcott (never read this one)
Light in August by William Faulkner (it's Faulkner and I really need to give him another chance. I read As I Lay Dying and hated it, but that was years and years ago. )
Moon is Down by John Steinbeck (I had never heard of this one)
The Good Mother by Sue Miller (I've been wanting to read this for a long time)
Forever: A Novel by Pete Hamill (this one looks really good)

Afterwards, we met my mom and sister for lunch and ate outside at a really good burger place. I pretty much spent the rest of the day reading. I was actually able to finish two books this weekend -- The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald and The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood, which I'll review later. Sunday included a family reunion and cleaning. I know that doesn't sound like it should be included in a perfect weekend, but it feels really good to start the week with a clean house.

13 comments:

Lezlie said...

There is something to be said for a clean house! :-) I always try to get it done early on Saturday so I can have the weekend to myself guilt-free.

Have a great day!
Lezlie

Anonymous said...

I love garage sales! The weather here hasn't cooperated enough for us to have some good ones. Great finds!

Eva said...

Sounds like you had fun! And I recently did a spring cleaning on my room, and now it makes me happy every time I walk in. :)

Lisa said...

lezlie, If I were smart, I would have done my cleaning early on Saturday, but I couldn't resist getting outside on such a nice day.

natasha, I don't get to go often, but you never know what you'll find when you get out there. I've actually found some nice books in the past. I hope the weather improves for you soon. :)

eva, it is nice to have a clean house, isn't it? Now, I can read without any guilt.

Jill ONeill said...

Tree Grows In Brooklyn and Rose in Bloom are wonderful. I confess that I've never read much of either Faulkner *or* Steinbeck. For that matter, Miller and Hamill are names I recognize but not authors I've read in any great depth.

Anonymous said...

I love cleaning the house at this time of year - really seems to boost the morale! And that's a wonderful selection of books you brought home, Lisa (as well as great books you've just read)!

Lisa said...

jill, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who avoids Faulkner. I often feel guilty because he's such a famous author. But, I will give him another try. I think I may have just been too young when I read him the first time.

litlove, it really does boost the morale. I just wish I could be home to make sure it stayed that way. Unfortunately, that's not the case. I have an 18-year old son at home who doesn't seem to care what the house looks like. :) Sadly, he'll be leaving for school in the fall, and then I'll wish I had him to pick up after.

Tara said...

I just love A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. My bookclub will be reading it in November at my suggestion.

Lisa said...

tara, I know I can't believe I'd never read this one before. I'd seen the movie several times. I'm really enjoying it and look forward to the discussion at book club next Tuesday evening.

Literary Feline said...

It sounds like you had a very nice day, Lisa! I hate getting started on the cleaning, but once I'm in the middle of it, I find I enjoy it. I most enjoy the feeling of having a clean house afterwards, so I know the feeling!

Looks like you have some good reading ahead of you.

Lisa said...

literary feline, I know -- getting started is the absolute worst part of it. I don't think I ever enjoy cleaning, but I do enjoy the satisfaction of a clean house.

Iliana said...

I hope you enjoyed both books. I can't wait to hear what you thought of The Bookshop. I really liked that book a lot and have been meaning to read more of Fitzgerald since then.

Lisa said...

iliana, I did enjoy them both although they're very different. I'll try to post a review of both of them soon.