My neighbor handed me this book

The Correspondent ~ by Virginia Evans, 2025, epistolary fiction, 304 pages

This is the life story of Sybil Van Antwerp, a prickly, retired lawyer in her 70s, through her letters and emails to friends, family, and even famous authors like Joan Didion and Ann Patchett.  The book explores themes of aging, regret, forgiveness, and connection as Sybil confronts her past, including the loss of a child and her adoption, through her correspondence.  It's praised for its realistic and memorable character, its celebration of the written word, and its poignant look at a life unfolding through communication.

When Betty handed me this book, she motioned "zipping her mouth closed," saying she wasn't going to tell me her opinion.  However, she had texted to ask if I wanted this book.  She doesn't usually do that unless she enjoyed reading it.  If you've read it, you can tell me whether it's good or bad, if you like.  I'll still read it either way.

Week in Review

• For Monday Musing, I mused about a book that will probably take me forever to read, HERE.
• On Twosday, I wrote about the words SWiss and SWeet, HERE.
• I wrote about the number of steps in my Wednesday's workout, HERE, after walking to the grocery store.
• On Saturday, I learned that my daughter's father-in-law died, so I looked up all the times I've blogged about dying, HERE.  I didn't think to ask how old he was.

is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

Celebrating at my house ~ with books, of course

Jaxon, my 1-year-old great-grandson, with his grandpa (my son) holding him and First 100 Animals, a board book.  Jaxon kissed that big tiger picture.

Raegan, my 2-year-old great-granddaughter, reading Blackboard Bear by Martha Alexander.

My daughter Barbara, on the right, with her three children:  Chase, Cady, and Cali.  Barbara is holding her copy of the family stories book I gave my children.

My daughter Sandra, trying to figure out why I gave her an old pink doll blanket.  Ask me, and I'll tell you the reason.  Her husband, Pat, managed to stay out of all my photos.  Behind her are her granddaughter Raegan, her son-in-law Michael (whose head seems to be missing), and her twin sister Barbara.

My grandson Jamey with his other grandmother (Patti) and his girlfriend, Amanda.

My granddaughter Kenzie, mother of Raegan.  Kenzie's husband, Michael, didn't get in any of my photos that turned out.

Jaxon, with his parents Whitney and Kendall, David, and my brother Jim behind them.  Jim's wife, Carol, avoided being in any of my photos.

My granddaughters Cady and Brandy, with Sharon, my favorite (and only) daughter-in-law.  I am blessed.

My son-in-law Greg, who is Cady's daddy.

Raegan, playing the piano for us, one note at a time.

David, wearing Jaxon's Cookie Monster backpack on one shoulder.

Our salon discussion today takes place here, in my living room.  Although temps have dropped below freezing a few times, it hasn't really been cool enough to light a fire, which is why I could line gifts up on the hearth in front of the fireplace before the family arrived.  Hey, Bookfool, that carefully assembled pile of books in the corner is the book tree that never reached the heights I imagined for it.  At the rate it was NOT tapering in, it would have had to reach the ceiling before it looked like a pointed fir, so I simply topped it with a steepled church (which has a light inside to show stained glass windows) and put the lights around it.  The red thing?  That's a wide ribbon hanging from the mistletoe on the ceiling fan.

More Sunday Salon posts can be found on Facebook.