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Read to Roam Book for February: Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather.
I have been drenched, dear kindred spirits, in the artful and literary pleasures of Santa Fe with its white-wedding-capped mountains, graceful plazas and the truly spectacular Museum Hill. I scouted delightful bookstores and delicious cafes for an expedition with some Sirens next March. (see below)
But I also had that sense of expansiveness that can steal over you when you've embarked on a solitary adventure. You succumb to a space out of time experience, waking, eating, reading when you like, unattached to any sense of a schedule.
I rarely re-read books--too many novels, memoirs and non-fiction to tackle for my MPR gig and personal reading pleasure--but I luxuriated in re-reading Willa Cather's "Death Comes for the Archbishop."
Set in New Mexico, the story follows a young bishop and a faithful priest who, on orders from the Pope, are overseeing the establishment of a new diocese.
"His great diocese was still an unimaginable mystery to him. He was eager to be abroad in it, to know his people." "Death Comes for the Archbishop" by Willa Cather.
And like every great "road trip" novel, these travelers encounter calamity, colorful characters, and a heaping helping of tribulation.
And yet, wisdom dawns. As Father Latour approaches the pueblos established by Native peoples, he begins to understand the traditions, cruel history of colonization and the long-held expressions of faith still practiced in these small desert communities.
When this classic published in 1927, the New York Times wrote: "From the riches of her imagination and sympathy, Miss Cather has distilled a very rare piece of literature."
Escape to the Land of Enchantment
As you can see in this month's Read to Roam selection, I found New Mexico incredibly restorative as I soaked in the art and bookstores that Santa Fe has to offer. So I simply must return in the company of some book-loving friends!
I've designed a five day, four night odyssey filled with museums, galleries, bookstore-trawling, hiking, cooking, noshing and sipping. Did I mention sipping??
Check out the itinerary and drop me a line if you're interested at: SirenSojourns.com
Cuban Film Festival
Although the winter winds haven't been all that biting this year, an idyll in the land of sultry breezes, sparkling seas and lush rain forests is always a welcome winter break, isn't it?
Take a look at this year's 15th Annual Minnesota Cuban Film Festival, with movies about love and spies, religion and identity on the roster.
If you are going to Cuba with Kerri in early April. watch for news about free tickets in your upcoming Cuba newsletter.
https://mspfilm.org/minnesota-cuban-film-festival/
Bookstore Radar
I populate my library queues with thrillers, spy novels and more thrillers. Which means I keep a close eye on the novels that "Once Upon A Crime" in Minneapolis is stocking.
Descend an almost hidden stairwell on West 26th street and find yourself among stacks and stacks of mysteries, whodunits, police procedurals and international thrillers.
https://onceuponacrimebooks.indielite.org/