Musings of a Loquacious Mind

I just finished reading "Nights of Rain and Stars" by Maeve Binchy.  I don't know that I am really a Binchy fan, though I do own quite a few (and have read even more) of her books.  I think it's like John Grisham- the first book is great, the second is good, but after a while you really do wonder if you have already read this book.

 

But I have always loved the tie to Ireland in all of her books (my first book of hers was, like many people in the US at least, "Circle of Friends", which I read after I saw the movie for a change).  I like UK expressions, though all of the books I have are US editions and have therefore been a good bit Americanized in spellings and some phrasing and terminology. 

 

One thing I really liked about this book was the tie also to Greece.  Have I ever been to Greece?  No.  But I would like to.  I would love to go to a town like Aghia Anna and meet people like Andreas and Vonni, but not have all of the drama surrounding my visit that the main characters clearly had to have for a Maeve Binchy book.  I really picture the countryside as I read, and in my head it is beautiful, inviting, and bug free. 

 

The ending of the book didn't "wrap up all loose ends", but it did the big ones.  I'm not sure how I feel about that.  It's like "Castaway"; on one hand I want there to be closure, but on the other hand I'm glad it wasn't wrapped neatly for me.  I guess I like some room for imagination in the ending.

 

So how did I come to pick this book to read?  Simple - it was at Goodwill, and I hadn't read it before.  I avoid borrowing books, because I am not a good borrower.  I don't like returning.  A book at Goodwill costs less than overdue fines I will invariably get at the library.