The Night Swimmers by Peter Rock

Fiction / autobiographical

272 pages 

5 Stars

 

 

I’m not positive how to review this. I listened to a recording of the book, so didn’t actually read it. I think I would have preferred reading the book, than listening to it, but I may be wrong. This is my first audiobook in several years and my introduction to Mr. Rock, and I will be checking out more of his novels. In hard copy.

 

Not knowing what to expect, I spent the time actually listening, not trying to do other things while listening. I didn’t know if this would be a male coming of age, or what. It is ‘or what.’

 

The story revolves around his returning home after college to work on a novel and lives with his parents at their summer home on the lake, where he goes swimming after dark. He meets a new widow about twice his age, and they begin swimming together at night. She is rather enigmatic, secretive actually, and a certain swim, changes everything. She leaves, he moves on, but he never forgets her, and years later, they meet again.

 

Had I read the book; I probably would have read it in one sit. I listened to it in one sit. 

Wirds, Weld Champneys' best --by Weld Champneys

 Nonfiction / poetry

288 pages

5 Stars

 

The cover says these are the best of Weld Champneys. It is correct.

 

This is the book that will stay by my bedside, to be opened at random and enjoyed before turning the light out. In these turbulent times when good news and humor are both at an all-time low, it is a book that is needed.

 

Most of the poems are short and will bring a smile to your face with which to sleep. Check out “DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A

SIMILE AND A METAPHOR

 

cats are like small

women in fur coats 

 

men are dogs”

 

Not only may you learn something from Mr. Champneys, you’ll get a chuckle while doing so.

The Woman in the Moonlight: A Novel --by Patricia Morrisroe

 Fiction / Historical Romance*

381 pages / 3759 KB

5+ Stars

 

One of the most captivating novels I’ve read in a while. Though a novel, a great deal of research went into it, and Morrisroe brings the characters alive. I knew Beethoven went deaf, but, oh, the heartache, the pain.

 

As a child, I took violin lessons—and though I loved classical music, I didn’t (and still don’t) have a musical molecule in my body. Of necessity, this book is filled with music, and fortunately, I am somewhat familiar with the music discussed. I could, literally hear it as I read. 

 

I don’t know if it was intentional on the author’s part, and I somehow think it was, this is an older fashioned ‘told story’ rather than a more modern one that is ‘shown.’ I rather enjoy a well-told story and had no problem with it.

 

What a most delightful, sumptuous, way of time travel to a romantic period of European history. The balls, the forced marriages, the gowns. Sumptuous! Brava, Madame Morrisroe. Brava!!!

 

*It’s really a love story. A gorgeous, beautiful Love Story.