Summer Update

muskoka is gorgeous

I  have been abandoning this blog for the beautiful weather, films, friends, food, social events, sunshine and baseball ---for that, I apologize; but such is summer in my gorgeous city

First off,  I wanted to take a moment to introduce you to Bala, Ontario --- it was during Vacation here that LM Montgomery was inspired to write The Blue Castle.  Deerwood, Valancy’s residence, is based on Bala and Barney’s Island on Lake Mistawis ( actually Lake Muskoka) is right nearby.  It is a gorgeous part of Muskoka, Ontario and just breathes Blue Castle: the penultimate moment at the train tracks? Yep, you can often hear a train speed through Bala.

bala has a waterfall :-)

I am a huge fan of literary (fictional) pilgrimages and a huge fan of the locales in which I grew up: in little northern Orillia, summers spent at the cottage in Muskoka, so if you are ever in this area, please go. 

Now, on to what I have been reading/ viewing

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion: quirky, fresh, reminded me of As Good As it Gets. Cinematic

The Kingmaker’sDaughter by Philippa Gregory: lush, expected, soapy, visceral, regal, Richard III, malevolent

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell: heartbreaking, earnest, nostalgic, sparse, bubblegum narrative that pops, sweet, salty language, bitter, cold, warmed by music

Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E. Stevenson: reminded of TheodoraGoes Wild; sweet, British, a touch of Cold Comfort Farm, anecdotal, hopeful, rural, whimsy

Mistaken by Karen Barnett ( head over to Novel Crossing to read my review)

The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty: straight cut, evocative, 19

20s, flapper, exquisite, tortured, convoluted

Viewing:

Despicable Me 2  See here

The Lone Ranger: go for the scenery. Amusing. Plotless. Pretty

The Way, Way Back: nostalgic, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash should write everything, sweet, bond, funny, throwback, John Hughes, awkward, coming-of-age, stirring

Frances Ha: black and white, modern dancer, displaced, New York, camera angles slitting through fractioned action

Monsters University: colourful, friendship, bright, silly, gooey joy