If you haven’t already seen it on Facebook, I wanted to share the press release put out by my publisher, E.L. Marker, announcing my travel memoir Musing Mediterranean.
To those who have so kindly commented on Facebook – thank you so much for your encouragement and support. To my blog readers, I hope you will enjoy this perspective on my book and please consider reserving your copy of Musing Mediterranean when it is available for pre-order in 2018 (scroll to the bottom of the read more link below.)
As seen at WiDoPublsing.com:
Beth Daigle’s Travel Memoir to be Released by E.L. Marker
When your whole family says, “Let’s take a vacation to the Mediterranean!” and it nearly gives you a nervous breakdown, how do you respond? You grit your teeth and agree to it. At least, that’s what Beth Daigle did in 2012… and somehow she lived to tell the tale.
Before her Mediterranean adventures, Daigle had been writing for many years. After numerous blogs and articles, she was ready to write a book. She states, “I had toyed around with several book ideas, but none seemed quite right.” Once the impending trip approached, the author grew more focused on keeping herself together than writing a story.
Wow! What a week. Power was out for two days and no internet or TV for three. I was forced to unplug and, in a way, it was a nice break. But alas, we are up and running and back online as usual. This week on the blog, book club was back in business. And by business I’m talking more about wine and cheese than the book, but if you are interested in the book here’s what I can tell you.
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown is a best seller and came highly recommended, yet book club gave it a unanimous thumbs down. To be honest, no one actually read it in its entirety. Most didn’t read it at all and I skimmed the majority just to get to the end.
Daniel James Brown’s robust book tells the story of the University of Washington’s 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the boys defeated elite rivals first from eastern and British universities and finally the German crew rowing for Adolf Hitler in the Olympic games in Berlin, 1936.
The Review
We simply were not the right club for this book. As I see it, if you are passionate about the sport of rowing, you may like this book. If you are a history buff, you may enjoy this book. If you’re curious about Seattle, WA, this book may be for you.
Otherwise, like me, you may struggle to get into it. Deep, deep within the pages of excruciating and often unnecessary detail, that didn’t move the story forward, there was a decent story. I didn’t come to appreciate this until chapter twelve.
To me, this felt like a case of indulgent writing where the author couldn’t help but include every bit of minutia uncovered in the book’s creation.
There was so much backstory to every account that it struck me as all over the place. It jumped from the teamwork of a rowing crew to Nazi Germany to boxing, filmmaking, lumberjacking, boat making and more. Not to mention the compelling family dynamic of the main character which was lost among everything else.
I’m all for descriptive, colorful, even flowery writing, but I’m afraid this just went way overboard – no pun intended.
If you truly enjoyed this book, please forgive my lack of appreciation. I don’t discount it for the massive research that must have gone into its making. There were also occasions of truly deft writing, however just much too much of all of it.
Despite my struggle to reach the end of this book, I’m glad I got there. That’s the challenge of book club – to push through stories that aren’t to my taste, but have value none-the-less.
If not for this book, I may not have been inspired to check out the Head of the Charles for the first time. So much fun!
Head of the Charles
If not for our book club meeting, I wouldn’t have had the chance to cozy up to this lovely lady. Isn’t she sweet?
Lily
Lily and her friends
Did you read The Boys in the Boat? What did you think?
Next Up
Since bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand is visiting our area in December, book club has decided to give her Winter series a read. Options include Winter Street, Winter Stroll or Winter Storms. I can probably get through all three quicker than I did The Boys in the Boat.
I am excited to report that I have signed a publishing contract for my travel memoir, Musing Mediterranean.
It’s funny that I started this blog as a means to promote my book and find a publisher who would help bring my fun, little story to life. Little did I know, the blog would take on a life of its own, but I am so happy that 3 Olives & Twist will have the opportunity serve its original purpose.
E.L. Marker™
I have partnered with E.L. Marker™, an imprint of WiDō Publishing™, a small press out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Soon enough, I will be in the throes of final edits, cover selection and the development of a promotional campaign. I will officially be able to call myself an author. I can’t wait.
Meanwhile, E.L. Marker™ is working on a press release to announce that I will be publishing with them. I look forward to sharing that with you when its available.
The book is targeted for release by fall 2018 – it hardly seems real. After so much time working on this one thing, it will finally be complete.
Thank you for supporting me on this writing journey. I look forward to keeping you up to date on the final phases of book production and launch.
I did not drive my girls to school today. They did not take a bus or catch a ride from a friend. Together, my 16-year old and 15-year old took off on their own without so much as a glance backward. The tears that welled up in my eyes were ones of joy, sadness and fear all at the same time.
When I was in my twenties I had a friend whose mom always cried when saying goodbye to her daughter. I didn’t get it back then – I get it now.
I know you understand. Sure, I’m relieved not to be their underappreciated chauffeur anymore, but sad that those days are behind me. My 15-year old made it clear that I’m out as her go-to ride and her sister is in. Not to worry my sweet darling – I realize that it’s much cooler to be driven around by your teen driver sister than by your annoying mother. Lucky they are close and my oldest isn’t opposed to carting her little sister around on her every whim.
It’s OK, I was once that little sister too. Back then I was well aware that I had a jump on my future via the independence of my sibling. The freedom, the control the excitement of being a teen driver is, in many ways, unparalleled.
But what about the constant worry? My fear for their safety tightens my chest in a such a dramatic way, I have to remind myself to breathe.
But it’s all good, right? Every little milestone these kids reach is a notch on our belt of parenthood. Good things are happening – they are growing, they are maturing, they are becoming adults. Good God, it’s hard to believe.
One more thing
To add to the thrill of our teen driver passing her driving test, that same day we attended her first official college tour. She loved it, we loved it and, together, we took one more step toward an inevitable empty nest.
This is a crazy time in life. Weirdly, I kind of like it.
Oh, how I love this event! I recently attended the 2017 Boston Designer Show House press day. Last year, I blogged about Boston Show House 2016, so couldn’t wait to indulge my every interior design fantasy yet again.
Emily O’Brien Photography
Accompanying me again was friend, photographer and fellow blogger, Emily O’Brien, of Emily O’Brien Photography. Check out her blog for even more fantastic photos from the 2017 show house and follow her on Instagram. Enjoy all of today’s photos courtesy of Emily O’Brien Photography.
The 2017 Designer Show House
This year, the Junior League of Boston partnered with the Belmont Women’s Club to transform their headquarters located at 661 Pleasant St. Belmont, MA. The historic building, the 1853 William Flagg Homer House, is set picturesquely on a hill overlooking the Boston skyline.
Boston-area interior designers and landscapers from as far as New Hampshire and Maine came together to transform over 20 rooms/spaces. Their elegant, eclectic and even edgy results are now on display through November 5, 2017 -Wednesdays to Sundays.
If you admire fine design, this is a trip worth making. It is a full experience of color, texture, style, innovation and pure decorative pleasure.
While each and every room of the Designer Show House is unique, one trend I noticed was the presence of highly stylized bookcases. The featured photo and two below are perfect examples.
Kim Macumber Interiors
Kim Macumber of Kim Macumber Interiors did an incredible job turning a tiny pantry into a Parisian garden-inspired environment. From the hand-painted floral ceiling to the copper, flower petal sink, I’d be happy to prep dinner in “Le Petite Pantry” any time.
Le Petite Pantry by Kim Macumber. Photo by Emily O’BrienLe Petite Pantry by Kim Macumber. Look at that ceiling! Photo by Emily O’Brien.
Boehm Graham Interior Design
To my friends in Bedford, NH you’ll be interested to know that mother-daughter design team Kacey Graham and Micheale Boehm of Boehm Graham Interior Design took on the transformation of “The Toasting Room.” This bright and beautifully styled room was one of my favorites featuring white and gray tones with pops of orange.
The Toasting Room by Boehm Graham Interior Design. Photo by Emily O’Brien.The Toasting Room by Boehm Graham Interior Design. Photo by Emily O’Brien.
Bonus Photos
Two more of my favorites.
This living wall of gorgeous greenery is part of Paige Lewin’s:Tess & Ted’s Interiors and Ana Bonilla’s: AnaVera Design “A Room of One’s Own.” Love!
I adore this! Living greenery wall by Paige Lewin of Tess and Ted Interiors. Photo by Emily O’Brien
The Grand Foyer blew me away! The pink stairs, the stained glass, the flock of birds…spectacular. Cutting Edge Homes, Inc.
