Snowy Day #SundaySalon

Happy Sunday! Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at ReaderBuzz. Check out her post and the links to see what other bloggers have been up to in the last week.

How’s the weather?

We were expecting freezing temperatures today, but light snow accumulated and made getting to my usual Saturday vigil more of an adventure than anticipated. It was easier getting home because the cars melted some of the snow pack and the city got out to salt some of the worst spots, including a hill in my neighborhood. I followed right behind the salt truck to make it safely home.

What are you reading?

I finished The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich in time for our book group meeting. We had a terrific discussion!

I’m currently reading Dear Miss Lake by A. J. Pearce, the fourth book in the Emma Lake series set during World War II England in the world of women’s magazines. This one has little in the way of plot, so far, but it’s hitting the spot, anyway. The magazine moved the office from London to the safety of the countryside. With a beautiful setting and characters that I have grown to love, they can do anything they want and I’ll be along for the ride.

What are you watching or listening to?

We finished Life on Mars, a British show from 2006. I wrote some thoughts about it for my Friday post.

Now, we’re watching Washington Black, a show that Sue mentioned in her July Preview post. We’re enjoying the steam punk inventions and the characters who cope in various ways with the reality of slavery in Barbados and the imperfect escape of Nova Scotia.

What are you doing?

I’ll attend a service project on Monday, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless both in shelters and for outreach.

Are you doing something interesting for Dr. Martin Luther King Day?

Comments

Snowy Day #SundaySalon — 12 Comments

mae on January 17, 2026 at 5:53 pm said:

I read The Watchman a couple of years ago. I wrote a brief review. Here it is:
Louise Erdrich’s characters, mainly native Americans, are really a pleasure to read about. I loved every individual in The Night Watchman, which takes place in the early 1950s. The locale is mainly on the reservation where the tribe’s treaty rights are about to be revoked. The main plot line is how the members of the tribe, led by the main character named Thomas, peacefully challenge the government threat against them. The sub-plots are equally fascinating, about the struggles of very poor but proud and imaginative people against a variety of challenges. As I have with every one of Erdrich’s books that I’ve read, I also loved the descriptions of the food the people cook and eat, and I love the occasional humor.

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Anne@HeadFullofBooks on January 17, 2026 at 10:16 pm said:

I am a fan of Louise Erdrich. A really enjoyed The Night Watchman, made more interesting when I learned it actually related to her grandfather. We read it for book club, too. I don’t remember the discussion but I do remember others thinking it wasn’t her best book so it didn’t deserve the Pulitzer. I disagreed but what do I know? Here is a link to the post I wrote grappling with that question: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2021/09/review-and-quotes-night-watchman-where.html

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Olivia on January 18, 2026 at 3:46 am said:

You are an amazing person Joy! Great characters are critical in order for me to read a book, so I understand. I’m going to check out these two shows you mentioned. We need something new to watch.

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Deb Nance at Readerbuzz on January 18, 2026 at 6:52 am said:

I saw so many homeless people this week on my trip to Galveston. One young woman was putting up a tent next to the seawall, even though temps were near freezing last night. Ugh. I’m glad you are helping.

I’m glad you are enjoying a good book series. I wonder if you are planning to resume work on your book this year.

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jeanie on January 18, 2026 at 8:57 am said:

I’m wondering if you are watching “Bookish” on PBS (Sundays, 10 pm) It’s good so far (just episode one.) We’re getting a serious sub-zero cold snap this coming week. The Pearce books sound like something I’d enjoy.

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Tina on January 18, 2026 at 9:21 am said:

I have had Louise Erdrich on my to-read list for ages but have not read one of her books yet. That saying…so many books, so little time.

Your dedication to community service is admirable. Inspiring.

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Bree on January 18, 2026 at 2:10 pm said:

Hope you have a great week!

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Cindy's Book Corner on January 18, 2026 at 2:14 pm said:

Our roads were awful on Thursday, and some were still bad on Friday. It made getting to and from work quite the adventure. Have a good week.

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Susan on January 18, 2026 at 5:46 pm said:

I liked the Night Watchman … when I listened to the audiobook read by the author in 2020. Quite good. Sounds like a good book club read. Here are my thoughts at https://www.thecuecard.com/books/lake-country/
Good luck getting thru the snow.

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Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out on January 19, 2026 at 2:48 am said:

I watch people slide around on slick snowy roads on YouTube Dashcam videos and marvel that anyone is brave enough to leave their house with those conditions.

Wishing you a happy reading week

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JaneGS on January 20, 2026 at 3:52 pm said:

I loved the book Washington Black, but only watched the first episode of the show. Somehow, I wanted to not muddy my version with anyone else’s. It is a fascinating story, though.

I’ve got to check out Dear Miss Lake. That definitely sounds like something I would enjoy.

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hena on January 20, 2026 at 5:16 pm said:

I have yet to read anything by Louise Erdrich, though I have a couple of titles on my TBR.

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