The novel Eric Hodgins wrote "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House," was published in 1946 and quickly became a huge bestseller.
I've been reading Mrs. Blandings for some time now- and I honestly can't quite imagine anyone else building that house! Our Mrs B. built the house- decorates it, faux finishes it- and then writes about it. You name it. Mrs. Blandings can do it. How could she possibly have time to read?
But, of course She does.
As a reader, and since this is a Summer Reading List-what better time to say:
mrs blandings.
What Books are on your Summer reading list?
William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury
Ian McEwan, Enduring Love
Amsterdam, James Ellroy I am anticipating the fall release of Blood’s a River by going back to some of his earlier books. I’ve read the Black Dahlia and loved it. There is a Kansas City connection as Ellroy lived here for a short time a few years ago. Chances are good I will get to most of them read.
The Sound and the Fury may take more fortitude, but I’m determined to read it. I’m ashamed to say I’ve never read Faulkner
in the stacks at Mrs. Blandings' house
Where do you read and When? Does the genre you are reading dictate the place you read- in other words, Do you take just any old book to bed?
I read in bed, in the office, in the carpool line and I’ll read anything from magazines to books old or new nearly anywhere.
What is you all time Favorite Book for its sense of place?
Both Brideshead Revisited and Tender is the Night
What is your Security Blanket Book?
Both the aforementioned. I also have a weakness for Winnie-the-Pooh.
What is your favorite Genre? Why? What is your most recent purchase in this category?
I really don’t have a most favorite, but I definitely have a least favorite. I loathe historical fiction.
What about Books you are reading for a second or third time? Why? Any disappointments on second reading?
There are several books I’ve gone back to re-read. I’m seldom disappointed as it’s usually the language that draws me back in.
Latest Obsession Author, Designer, Photographer?
I do think I’ve nearly exhausted my Mitford sisters obsession, but it had a long run.
I will pick up your Mitford mantle, I have their letters to read- It's on my list.
Are you building a Summer Reading List? or even a Library- the books? the shelves?- or the house to put the Library in? Tell Mrs. Blandings all about it- after you do, You will feel so much better and for something for the shelves- HOW TO HEPBURN: Lessons on Living from Kate the Great- KATHERINE HEPBURN by Karen Karbo- a Mrs. Blandings sort of gal.
I've been reading Mrs. Blandings for some time now- and I honestly can't quite imagine anyone else building that house! Our Mrs B. built the house- decorates it, faux finishes it- and then writes about it. You name it. Mrs. Blandings can do it. How could she possibly have time to read?
But, of course She does.
As a reader, and since this is a Summer Reading List-what better time to say:
I Love Reading this Blog, & amazed by all the talents of the blogger.
mrs blandings.
A Scene from the Book
"a soft green, not as blue-green as a robin's egg but not as yellow-green as daffodils...", "if you'll send one of your workmen to the grocer for a pound of their best butter, and match that yellow exactly...", "as you can see, it's practically an apple red, somewhere between a healthy winesap and an unripened Johnny..."
~mrs Blandings
(as applied to the painting of the perfect yellow for her house)
"a soft green, not as blue-green as a robin's egg but not as yellow-green as daffodils...", "if you'll send one of your workmen to the grocer for a pound of their best butter, and match that yellow exactly...", "as you can see, it's practically an apple red, somewhere between a healthy winesap and an unripened Johnny..."
~mrs Blandings
(as applied to the painting of the perfect yellow for her house)
What Books are on your Summer reading list? William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury
Ian McEwan, Enduring Love
Amsterdam, James Ellroy I am anticipating the fall release of Blood’s a River by going back to some of his earlier books. I’ve read the Black Dahlia and loved it. There is a Kansas City connection as Ellroy lived here for a short time a few years ago. Chances are good I will get to most of them read.
The Sound and the Fury may take more fortitude, but I’m determined to read it. I’m ashamed to say I’ve never read Faulkner
in the stacks at Mrs. Blandings' house 
Where do you read and When? Does the genre you are reading dictate the place you read- in other words, Do you take just any old book to bed? I read in bed, in the office, in the carpool line and I’ll read anything from magazines to books old or new nearly anywhere.
Mrs. Blanding's Rosie resting
What is you all time Favorite Book for its sense of place?
Both Brideshead Revisited and Tender is the Night
What is your Security Blanket Book?
Both the aforementioned. I also have a weakness for Winnie-the-Pooh. I think I actually see a correlation here-golden honey colors, honey, bears, Boys ?
What is your favorite Genre? Why? What is your most recent purchase in this category?
I really don’t have a most favorite, but I definitely have a least favorite. I loathe historical fiction.
What about Books you are reading for a second or third time? Why? Any disappointments on second reading?
There are several books I’ve gone back to re-read. I’m seldom disappointed as it’s usually the language that draws me back in.
Latest Obsession Author, Designer, Photographer?
I do think I’ve nearly exhausted my Mitford sisters obsession, but it had a long run.
I will pick up your Mitford mantle, I have their letters to read- It's on my list.
Are you building a Summer Reading List? or even a Library- the books? the shelves?- or the house to put the Library in? Tell Mrs. Blandings all about it- after you do, You will feel so much better and for something for the shelves- HOW TO HEPBURN: Lessons on Living from Kate the Great- KATHERINE HEPBURN by Karen Karbo- a Mrs. Blandings sort of gal. 
Thank you so much - you did a wonderful job compiling this from the mumbo-jumbo I forwarded!
ReplyDeleteoh my, what an adorable post. thank you for a glimpse into the world of one of the most charming women in 'blog-land.'
ReplyDeletewhere IS my copy of Brideshead? it might be time for a re-read.
Mrs. Blandings sent me here...wonderful post--such an inspiration! I get so distracted with work, the computer, etc. that I forget to read and I have stacks of new enticing books waiting for me.
ReplyDeleteMrs Blandings- thank YOU! la
ReplyDeletetartanscot- I read your blog and love it. I do so love the book and movie and Mrs B.! I agree about Brideshead-and more of that to come in another blogger list. la
ReplyDeletemary- Mrs. Blandings is very generous to send you over. She has an impressive list.I do the same with the stacks- it is so comforting to know they are there though. la
ReplyDeleteYou just keep scoring on all of these wonderful readers and their even better reads!
ReplyDeleteI knew the list would be great, but LA you did a wonderful job bringing the post to life with the pictures!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post. You have inspired me to think more about what I read. I read all the time, moving along from one book to the next, to magazines to newspapers - always enjoying it, whether it is news or fiction or fashion. I think I will start writing down each day all that I have read. Thanks for a great post.
ReplyDeletepigtown, stylecourt thank you so much, great to have the comments. thanks, g.
ReplyDeleteHC HouseGirl- thanks so much, Reading- I can't get enough. I have learned so very much from all the great blogs out. It is amazing.G
ReplyDeleteInteresting list and wonderful blog. I am visiting via Mrs. Blandings and am happy she led me here. I am certain to return. Book lists are my obsession. In fact, I just posted my own for summer!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend to you!
I have a rule in my home, never say no to books. I love these posts. I am not surprised that Mrs.Blandings reads anywhere - just as long as she is not driving! lol.
ReplyDeletepve
Now that the fishwrappers and other media have all but dropped any interest in books, I look for book reviews and recommendations anywhere I can find them. Thanks to Mrs. Blandings and other linked blogspots, such as Little Augury, I am now reading an oldie entitled "The Moonstone" by Wilkie Collins, from the U.K. 1940 time period. Also, I was able to land a fabulous illustrated HC edition of "I Married Adventure" by Asa Johnson, which I cannot wait to start.
ReplyDeleteI tackled The Sound and the Fury last year after Oprah posted a professor giving a lesson on reading the book. I couldn't have done it without that help. It is fascinating and totally worth the effort. It would be like trying to read Shakespeare with help.
ReplyDeletePamela- thanks and your list looks great too- some familiar some not so- a busy summer for everyone. thanks for stopping in.
ReplyDeletePVE- I suspect you do some on the go reading too.Isn't it nice to find a restful spot- I loved the photograph of your daughter's reading refuge. g
ReplyDeletetwocents, Why thanks! I am a huge Moonstone fan as you know- and have another fun book post in similar vein about the Mystery of the Yellow Room by Gaston Leroux. Keep in touch. g.
ReplyDeleteAnon- we will check back to see how Mrs. B is doing. the Sound and the Fury is hefty reading- Oprah can be a godsend. thanks for stopping in. G
ReplyDeleteThe Sound and the Fury is on my all time greatest hits. I'm fortunate that I read it in college with the guide of a Faulkner worshipper. I think the key is to read it aloud. Stop worrying about the lack of punctuation and the sentences that can run a marathon. Read it as an intimate revealing of a family's, a community's shared secrets. Weap at the loss of it all. I will never hear "Caddy" without thinking of Sound and the Fury.
ReplyDelete