At last, after months of deadlines and tremendous pressure, I am on holiday from my normal everyday life. I have no kitchen, no oven, no dining room table (or dining room, for that matter), and no deadlines until the end of September. What I do have is: three children at home, a lot of knitting to tackle, an ever-growing pile of books to read, some time on my hands. And it feels great. The only downside is that we can't bake, but this could be the excuse to either give up baked goods (ha) or test out commercially available versions (more like it).
I am very excited about my literary holiday. I'm tearing out all the summer reading recommendations in the newspapers, filling my Amazon basket until it's bursting, searching my bookshelves for the titles I've been saving for this moment, and scouring abebooks and Oxfam shops for good second-hand books. I can't decide whether to start with classic, light-fantastic PG Wodehouse or Agatha Christie, or to get stuck into thrilling Raymond Chandler or Robert Wilson, or travel widely with books about Palm Springs architecture and Manhattan architectural walks, or just ease myself into my holiday with a small but carefully selected choice of Japanese craft books (just arrived via the excellent Pomadour's Craft Cafe as recommended by Juju at the recent knitting weekend).
Ah, such luxury.
I love it when the children break up from school. I still work a little through the holidays and yet I still feel like I am on holiday. No school runs, swimming tennis or ballet lessons, no rushing. Love it x Enjoy your time x
Posted by: lucy@theantidote | July 05, 2009 at 14:14
That sounds amazing, you are inspiring me to have my own literal holiday some time soon. Maybe in the autumn when i can snuggle and read and drink cocoa! Love your words, enjoy x
Posted by: Clarebear | July 05, 2009 at 14:56
I have no idea how you manage to read so much! Maybe because your children are older? I am so tired by bedtime the only thing going on in my books is snoring! I do manage audio books on the school run - they are my obsession. It's just that many (I'm having a Bernard Cornwell phase) are unsuitable for the return journey and so as summer approaches I arrive earlier every day for pick-up so that I have 30 mins listening in the car park! Bliss! Your holiday sounds intriguing. No baking is a good thing if you get to sample other peoples - it also means no washing up! Hurrah to that! t.x
Posted by: kitschen pink | July 05, 2009 at 15:16
Ooh! I see you have 'Wild Mary' in your reading list! Oh how I loved that biography and Oh how I regretted that it came too late for me to be able to share it with my M-in-Law as we had shared all of Wesley's books together! t.x
Posted by: kitschen pink | July 05, 2009 at 15:17
Those Japanese craft magazines are compelling! The Japanese are ultra stylish.
I like your idea of a literary holiday. There are so many good books to enjoy. I particularly like staying with literary friends and finding books on their shelves that I wouldn't normally read.
P x x x
Posted by: Polly | July 05, 2009 at 15:53
A literary holiday is a good idea... Maybe schools should introduce it! I don't know if this will happen to you, but it certainly did to me: Beware if you start reading any Agatha Christie, you basically have to finish all her books (only... hmmm.. 80!) until you can start reading something else. They are THAT addictive!
Posted by: Crazi Dazi | July 05, 2009 at 17:14
Clearly, your mission as a baker this summer is twofold: 1) Save money on cooling the house by not running the as-of-now nonexistent oven, and 2) engage in some baked-goods recon, finding things in shops that you absolutely must recreate in the fall. That doesn't sound like a bad time at all! :-)
Posted by: Sasha | July 05, 2009 at 17:33
Oh, your bookish plan sounds delicious. Please share your insights as you enjoy the sweetest mind work of all - reading stories.
Posted by: Pom Pom | July 05, 2009 at 17:39
Your plans sound wonderful!
My copy of Ripping Things To Do arrived yesterday so thats my planned literary reading for the next few days!
Victoria xxx
PS I Love It!
Posted by: Victoria | July 05, 2009 at 19:22
I've been delving in to Dick Francis novels. There's nothing like a good murder mystery to while away the summer hours. With knitting, of course.
Posted by: willow | July 05, 2009 at 19:52
Ahhhh.....sounds like a little literal contentment, with so many lovely choices but able to take the time to leisurely make a decision. Did you ever read the book I mentioned to you a year and a half ago called "Cultivating Delight, a Natural History of My Garden" by Diane Ackerman? A wonderful book I think you would like, Jane. Oh, and I must say....I am quite excited about your quilt book. Of course, like your first book, no way am I waiting until it comes out here in the USA...that would take FOREVER. Enjoy your reading, knitting and children time. I'm thinking, you deserve it!
Posted by: cathleen | July 05, 2009 at 21:47
Do try Elizabeth Strout's marvelous OLIVE KITTREDGE if you haven't yet read it.
Posted by: Suzanne | July 05, 2009 at 22:15
I think we should start a 'save our summer holidays' campaign (SOSH?). My two are down to five weeks this summer - poor things. Am looking forward to it. No packed lunches and mornings in our pyjamas. What's happened to your oven?
Posted by: Janice | July 06, 2009 at 07:28
I think summer reading, in the garden, with a nice cup of tea and slice of cake can't be beaten. I have recently read The Road by Cormack McCarty - amazing it brought me to tears. A completely different but also excellent book is the Painted Veil by Somerset Maughan. Short but incredibly sweet. Enjoy your summer reading. My 15 yr old is already on holidays, my 13 yr old soon to break up - it is a relaxing time except they go to bed after we do!
Posted by: karen | July 06, 2009 at 07:34
A literary holiday sounds wonderful. An Agatha Christie is always a wonderful book to relax with.
Posted by: Josephine | July 06, 2009 at 12:07
Well, I am going to try "Cultivating Delight" mentioned above. "Auberge of the Flowering Hearth" is a classic of food writing, and has a delicious, haunting description of a trip into the Swiss alps.
Posted by: knittingoutloud | July 06, 2009 at 12:47
I too have the next month off to recoup and do as I please, and I know what kind of joy it is to have that stretching out before you, full of possibilities. Enjoy yourself! (Despite the lack of oven :)
Posted by: Sarah | July 06, 2009 at 13:45
I LOVE Heartburn .... book, movie and musical score...and have my holiday reading lined up, too. Currently reading The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd and a whole heap of deliciousness to move on to....
Off for a quick rendition of Carly Simon's 'Coming Around Again'.... me on piano, daughter singing!
Posted by: Jayne Croghan | July 06, 2009 at 21:32
That does sound luxurious! Your list of possible reading choices has quite a few on it that I'd like to be reading. This summer I'm going for a few biographies (Gandhi and Churchill and Theodore Roosevelt) and a history of India. I hope to work in a couple of books by Nevil Shute, Agnes Sligh Turnbull, and maybe Angela Thirkell.
My copies of Cherry Cake & Ginger Beer and Ripping Things to Do have been ordered, but I'm guessing they're coming from overseas since I've been notified that they will take several weeks to arrive.
Oh, well - good things come to those who wait!
Posted by: Laura | July 07, 2009 at 16:36
Fantastic! Enjoy!
Posted by: Alicia | July 07, 2009 at 21:24
How luxurious! I imagine a car loaded up with books,knitting,and children, trundling round the countryside.
I'm so looking forward to seeing your quilt book Jane, I just know it's going to be a visual feast, and even though I'm not a quilter, I will be able to appreciate the skill and colours.
Posted by: vanessa | July 08, 2009 at 10:59
It has to be Raymond Chandler! I read all his books every summer - 'The Big Sleep' often twice! I never get board!
Posted by: Rhi | July 10, 2009 at 17:28
welcome back, dear Jane! i'm in the middle of a heavy-duty slog myself and won't see the light of day till mid-September...but wanted to say hello and that i'm so excited for your new book!
Posted by: amy | July 29, 2009 at 04:09