Whether it’s Nook, Kindle or iPad, hardback or paper, library or bookstore — we can never get enough great stories. So as summer starts to wane, we at Fifty is the New share some recent good reads. What we did on our summer vacation, literary style.

Prudence

This summer reminded me of my girlhood, when every Saturday I checked out 11 books (the maximum allowed) from the Pasadena Public Library, and returned them a week later for another near dozen. Two I liked:

Wesley the Owl: a Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and his Girl by Stacey O’Brien. Mandatory reading for animal lovers!

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery: a romp through France’s bourgeoisie told by two razor-sharp wits whose lives collide in a fancy apartment building in the 5th arrondissement.

Connie

Summer for me means sun, sand, sea, and books, lots of books, and though I now live in the mountains I still make time for long, slow days and words that make my heart sing.

I am, for the dozenth time, re-reading Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. This delicious froth of manners and misunderstanding within the Bennett family is a perfect summer distraction from our modern miasma.

I’ve also started Pompeii by Richard Harris, the historical fiction of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Sounds like a potboiler, yes?

Carine

A good book teaches you something you didn’t know before about the world and about yourself.

I have been married to a Frenchman for 22 years, and even wrote a book on the humorous differences between our two cultures, but What French Women Know by Debra Ollivier managed to further explain my husband to me. In addition, it provided revelation on the impulses that drive my approach to relationships. An excellent and entertaining read for anyone trying to decipher failed and successful unions!

Christie

Summer makes me think of places I have visited and long to return to. This year Ireland captured my imagination and I found Benjamin Black (BB). BB is the alarming alter-ego of Irish literary genius John Banville. His uneasy characters include Quirke, a disheveled (inside and out) pathologist, who stumbles and bumbles along until he is able to uncover a single truth. It’s 1950s Dublin, we are spared any DNA search and recovery, these characters have to observe and think. Christine Falls and Elegy for April are recommended.

Melissa

Reading isn’t a seasonal activity for me. Since I am not in school nor do I have children in school, time is not as delineated as it once was. But sometimes I read more obsessively than others. Now is one of those times.

Shantaram by Gregory Roberts was 920 pages of complete obsession. I could not stop reading and so I am told, as with any good addiction when I was done I wanted more. I have never been more enthralled by a book. The story is about love, faraway places, loss, redemption and the mystery of human existence—a gut wrenching, epic literary experience.

Cathy

I get most of my reading done in bed or on airplanes lately, though I long for sun, sand and no sense of time.

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese took me to Ethiopia with a story of twin brothers born of a tragic union. Though filled with detailed medical explanations, the stories of love, family and betrayal were riveting and unexpected.

I’m just sinking my teeth into Blood, Bones & Butter a memoir from Gabrielle Hamilton chef/owner of Prune in NYC. Deelicious!

*****

Got a good book to share? Be sure to add your favorite summer read!

Recently Fifty is the New celebrated its third anniversary. Wow! Three years? Time sure does fly when you’re sharing the virtual stage with smart, witty, passionate women.

When we started out there were few, but these days “midlife blogs” are everywhere. Sometimes, when I want to throw in the blogazine towel, I find myself inspired by the writings of Carine, Connie, Christie, Melissa and Pru, such amazing women, and deeply touched by the community that supports us. Readers, both old and new, you are the reason we do this. Your warm bear hugs and smart comments keep us keeping on. We thank you.

There have been so many excellent posts in the past three years that it’s time we reached into the archives. For part one of our anniversary celebration, I’ve asked the Bloggerinas to pick a favorite post written by a fellow contributor.

Here are their selections. Enjoy the “best of” Fifty is the New… and let us know what you think!

Prudence’s “What Happens in Ireland, Stays in Ireland” chosen by Connie

Pru has the gift of putting you in her world. When she took that world to Ireland, it was laugh-out-loud funny. Reading her delicious prose is like biting into a juicy, crisp apple—in Ireland.

Carine’s “Oh God!” chosen by Christie

Carine’s musings on that nature of God and faith is an evergreen. We will always have disasters, natural and human caused, I find reading Carine’s words comforting and provocative.

Christie’s “I Didn’t Go to Lunch That Day” chosen by Melissa

I love the fact that iconic moments and magic can just appear in a day of drudgery and numbers crunching, changing not only the day, but creating memories that can change more days when needed.

Connie’s “The Lovely Mrs. Stetson Rides Again” chosen by Prudence

Connie ventured a toe into the water of where the real change is supposed to happen, local politics, only to discover that it is nothing more than a chest-thumping, circle-jerk with a rubber chicken chaser. This piece brings home to me that progressive politics as a means to improve the world—a passion of mine—remains a chimera. I should trade it in for something real, like housekeeping.

Melissa’s “I’m a Believer” chosen by Cathy

I admire how Melissa is a true and “equal opportunity” believer. In this post she reminds me that to be joyful actually takes work; to be open to the magic of everyday occurrences; and that everything from hummingbirds to idiots have a reason for coming into our lives.

Cathy’s “What the Funk?” chosen by Carine

As a friend of Cathy’s, I am always inspired by the way she approaches life’s hurdles—large and small—with positivity and equanimity. This blog perfectly illustrates her grace, which moves me to keep my own challenges in perspective.

Wrapping up the holiday theme—sharing what bring us joy—Carine tells a story of illumination

Sometimes joy simply comes from watching others experience joy. Someone I know sent me a link to a short article about the Sun City Picture House, a movie theater that was recently opened in one of Haiti’s worst slums, thanks to the efforts of actresses Olivia Wile and Maria Bello. The article quotes Bello saying, “We had 200 kids that [opening] night with little bags of popcorn and juice. Their parents stood in the back, watching them have some joy for the first time.”

When the task at hand seems overwhelming, doing the bit that you can, can have a huge impact. The thought of distressed Haitian people being able to watch a fun movie made me so happy. Good job, ladies!

Joy to the world, Cathy unearths her recipe for it

What brings me joy, year-round, is my local farmer’s market. What a feast for the senses—all six of them!

1) I see… a bounty of color and beauty.
2) I hear… people talking passionately about food, sharing recipes and wisdom from the farm.
3) I smell… fresh greens, damp dirt, flowers and sugar (from the waffle seller).
4) I taste… sweet fruit ripened on the vine, spicy hummus and rich almond butter.
5) I touch… everything. Is it soft enough, hard enough, ready now?

The sixth sense? A connection to the Earth, a sense of community, a reminder that food comes from the soil and not the supermarket—and an appreciation for life.

Find happiness at a farmer’s market near you. Check out Local Harvest’s zip code search, and even if you have to wait until spring—go local!

Cheers, to one and all, and joyous felicitations of the season.

If you’re just not feeling it this season, may I suggest you immediately watch this video:

May you be blessed with more belly laughs in the coming year.

Get a daily dose of uplift, courtesy of Melissa and friends

To keep my cheer flowing year-round, I find great daily joy in two free email subscriptions.

A Daily Poem
Hosted and curated by Garrison Keillor, The Writer’s Almanac can also be heard daily on NPR. I read the poem each morning while the coffee brews.
The Writer’s Almanac >>

A Daily Painting
I also subscribe to a daily painting by a noted Southwestern painter John Farnsworth. Having painted himself into a corner with horses—a subject he’d become known for—John hit a creative wall. To reignite his creativity, John began doing one painting a day and posting it on his website. Every day I am eager to see what John has created. Waiting to see the painting reminds me of the fifty-cent surprise bags we used to get as kids at the Trading Post when on vacation, only better.
A Farnsworth A Day >>

A neighbor’s kindness brings warmth to Christie’s Minnesota winter

The promise of a blanket of snow thrills me and fills me with… hope. The world outside becomes quieter and quieter as the snow deepens, it is time to go inside and contemplate the year past and the year to come. When the sound of a snow blower interrupts my thoughts, I look out and see my neighbour Scott making sure the entire sidewalk around my house is cleared. I am reminded what a privilege it is to receive and give help. We all feel and do better when we take care of one another. I promise to give and ask for more help this coming year. Who can imagine what new growth will appear when the snow melts in the spring?