What Am I Reading Wednesday on Thursday, March 21, 2024

[just_ann_now]

But first, this!



Our California son-in-law, Nick, has accepted a position here in Frederick! Which means he and daughter Ginger will be heading out this way *checks calendar* in 16 days! We are all over the moon over this, as you can imagine. Ginger fell in love with the town on her many visits, and Nick has been discovering new delights as well. It's going to be so much fun to have everyone closer.

What I Just Finished Reading

The Wreath (Kristin Lavransdatter #1), by Sigrid Unset. This was the first book in a Nobel Prize-winning trilogy, and I'm glad I read it, but don't think I'll continue. The historical detail was fascinating, but in terms of plot and character, just too slow moving for me. For A to Z Authors.

What Have We Here? Portraits of a Life, by Billy Dee Williams. I did not realize Billy Dee was a very well regarded Broadway actor before his movie career. This was a fast, enjoyable read. For Keyword: Life.

The Dinosaur Artist: Obsession, Betrayal, and the Quest for Earth's Ultimate Trophies. by Paige Williams. This was really fascinating, and could easily be considered for the True Crime genre, even if the main characters come across more as bozos than hardened criminals. For A to Z Titles.

Strawberry Yellow, by Naomi Hirahara, and Still Life, by Louise Penny. Both of these books were mentioned in a book I read last week, Gardening Can Be Murder: How Poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels, and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers, by Marta McDowell. (I really need to pay more attention to subtitles; I thought this would be a useful guide to poisonous garden plants like hellebores, foxgloves, etc. I did end up with lots more titles on my to-read list, though.)

What I Am Currently Reading/What I Am Reading Next

Not sure yet, I picked up some from the library yesterday and have a load on my Libby wish list but haven't made a decision yet.

Question of the Day: Helpful suggestions for people moving to a new town? We'll have plenty of recommendations but the more ideas the merrier!

Comments

[profiterole_reads]

Oh, this is great news for you guys! A tour of the town including the library, the bookshop, the cinema... Also, the town hall website probably has a list of local associations.

[just_ann_now]

I showed off the library to him when he was here for his interview last week. He was suitably impressed ♥

[minoanmiss]

They already have a local connection, which is the most important item in moving to a new town, IMO. :)

[just_ann_now]

Absloutely! Youngest Daughter was such a great resource when we first moved here. (She was the pioneer, we've inherited the town from her LOL.)

[hamsterwoman]

That's lovely that family is moving close!

From friends who've moved for work and stuff, I think I've most often gotten asked for dentist recommendations

[just_ann_now]

Yep, and eye doctors for them too. And grocery stores!

[ribby]

A branch of your bank is always helpful… but you know me, the library and bookstore are the first things I’d look for. Oh, and a good bakery, and cheese shop, and wine shop…

Can you tell I’m in Paris right now? *grin*

But definitely recommendations for doctors, and a good cleaners is also useful!

(Oddly enough, I haven’t read a ton this week…)

~Kris

[just_ann_now]

Good thing Ginger has visited so much! It's how she knew she wanted to live here. So she's already familiar with the downtown library, Curious Iguana, Spin the Bottle Wine Company, and Stone Hearth bakery.

When Nick was here for the interview last week we were walking downtown and he spontaneously burst out with, "This town is adorable!" ♥

Ooooh Paris!!!!!

[ribby]

I should have said, it’s so lovely your kids are going to both be so close! And yes, just from your pictures, I agree with Nick!

(It’s been unseasonably wonderful here—sunny and warm! I’ve been basking in gardens everywhere, just to top off my sun…)

~Kris

[just_ann_now]

Heee, I knew that was what you meant ♥

It has been sunny here but very chilly still. That hasn't bothered my daffodils and hellebores one bit though. I envy you those Parisian gardens!

[cairistiona]

Hooray, he got the job!!! *dances you around the garden*

Advice:

- info on schools if they need to enroll daughter if she's school age
- gift cards to local restaurants
- pizza delivery on move-in day
- zoo passes (if you have a local zoo)
- info on local parks
- list of good local handypeople/repair service/etc
- not that you *have* any sketchy neighborhoods, but a heads-up on where not to go/move to/etc
- calendar of happenings--festivals, art shows, etc etc etc

That's all I can think of off the top of my head, just based on what Dink needed when she moved.

I'm just so excited for you!

[just_ann_now]

- No kids of any age, just our grandbird, Alex, a crested cockatiel who is NOT going to enjoy another cross-country drive
- I'm planning a gift card that's good for all over downtown!
- Pizza on move-in day is a good idea
- The local zoo is a bit out of town but it would be fun to go there when the Actual Human Grandkids are visiting next
- It's a rental, so they won't need any handypeople recs right away
- Another rental was suggested for them in a sketchy neighborhood, and we said, hmmm, probably not
- There's so much going on here all the frickin' time!
- These are great recommendations though!