My second read of East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Here is the assigned book, East of Eden by John Steinbeck, that started my Summer of 2025 Steinbeck Project. 

It was in my Audible library from my last read in 2012.

In the beginning, I increased the speed to 1.20. After a bit, I was able to increase it more to 1.35 with no chipmunks. That reduced the time from 25.5 hours to just under 19 hours.  I also started a few days earlier than I normally do. Both strategies helped to finish this book before my Wednesday discussion meeting deadline. 

When I began, I realized I did not remember the story (at all, other than to recognize Steinbeck really does not do happy stories). Reading it this second time, was pretty much like reading it for the first time. So it was wise of me to reread this book to freshen in it my mind for discussion. 

The first chapter is pure description. If description is not your thing, skip to the last couple sentences of chapter one and then proceed with the rest of the book. 

I have read a lot of classics. East of Eden is definitely in my “top five” important classics. Grapes of Wrath is too. 

I will continue to work my way through Steinbeck’s fiction, in between my regular book group assignments. 

I maintain accounts on GoodReads and StoryGraph, thanks to youngest getting me organized. 

StoryGraph - 

In each book post, I utilize https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/

This is a wonderful website that helps clarify the publication order of books and verifies book series. I use this website because there are no spoilers. But if I need a description, I can click over using the links, easily. There are also author bios.

Christmas quilts

These Christmas panels are really lovely. 

Originally I had five.  I think these were purchased over 22 years ago, at the old house. 

At that time, I sewed borders on all five of them to make wall hanging size quilts.  

Two were quilted and finished as wall hangings.  

Three were left unfinished.  

I committed myself, a couple years ago (maybe 2023), by buying fabric (below) to turn the three unfinished tops into full size quilts.

June 2025, I asked my three kids if they wanted Christmas large/lap size quilts. 

At that time, neither of the girls did. But oldest wanted one, probably with granddaughter in mind.  That solved one. 

I planned to send the other two to my niece and nephew, as surprises.

Originally I planned to do something fancy, liked pieced blocks, to finish these. Nothing came to mind. 

Utilizing the fabric I bought in approximately 2023, I added three borders to the outside of two of the quilts. I cut very carefully. These two tops are identical. They measure 63” x 79” each.

I bought green fabric for the outside border of the third quilt top.

Then a funny thing happened, both girls decided they wanted a Christmas quilt. Middle wanted the green border. Youngest wanted a buffalo check. Oldest/DIL/granddaughter are getting a buffalo check too. 

All three tops are done and in my long arm quilter pile. 

What’s blooming

 Two (of the five) clematis near the front of the house are blooming -

The Stella Day lilies are still blooming - 

The other (regular) day lilies are just starting to bloom -

Those are red snap dragons (with a day lily behind them). Snap dragons are a beloved annual from my childhood. One of my nurseries suggested planting them in a set spot last year. She said they would reseed themselves and come up as if they were a perennial, they did.

The Lilies (above and below) are in Witness Protection (hidden from the bunnies) - 

The first hosta is starting to bloom, many more to come -

The first bee balm is starting to bloom -

Anise hyssop just starting to bloom -

The Butterfly Weed (that survived the winter, I lost a lot) is in bloom - 

The Nightingale (2015) by Kristin Hannah

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is a book group assignment. It is historical fiction set during WWII.

I found the writing to be just a little immature in the beginning. But it grew on me. By the end, I was very attached to the characters and stories. 

Parts are a very tough read, WWII France was not a good place to be. 

There were long waits on Libby, I purchased this audio book from Audible.

I was able to increase the speed to 1.25 easily. The regular speed was so slow it was painful. 1.25 sounded like normal. That decreased the length of the book from just over 17 hours to under 14 hours, a nice length.

Side note - There is a historical fiction book group at the library. I do not attend, historical fiction is definitely not a favorite for me. The members who do attend grumble that there are far too many WWII themed historical fiction books.

I maintain accounts on GoodReads and StoryGraph, thanks to youngest getting me organized. 

StoryGraph - 

In each book post, I utilize https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/

This is a wonderful website that helps clarify the publication order of books and verifies book series. I use this website because there are no spoilers. But if I need a description, I can click over using the links, easily. There are also author bios.

The Pastures of Heaven by John Steinbeck (1932)

The Pastures of Heaven by John Steinbeck popped up as available after a brief wait on Libby. This is Steinbeck’s second novel, published in 1932.

The Pastures of Heaven is comprised of a series of short stories, each chapter is a separate topic set in the same area. And just so you know, there are a few very gruesome parts and the stories tend to end just a little abruptly.

I liked this book. Again not an all time favorite, but I definitely enjoyed most of the stories. I listened to it all in one go, flying back home to Indiana from the east coast. 

At 7 hours, it was a relatively short listen. Increasing the speed to 1.35 shortened it even further to just over 5 hours, no chipmunks. I had an hours drive (Uber) to the first airport, and then two connecting flights, so it was the perfect length.

I thought a lot about one of my least favorite books, Winesburg Ohio, as I listened, because they are very similar books. I think I listened to Winesburg Ohio in 2012, I might not have had enough classic book experience at that point. But I am not willing to try again.

I maintain accounts on GoodReads and StoryGraph, thanks to youngest getting me organized. 

StoryGraph - 

 This short story collection is listed under Steinbeck’s novels, not collections (below).

In each book post, I utilize https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/

This is a wonderful website that helps clarify the publication order of books and verifies book series. I use this website because there are no spoilers. But if I need a description, I can click over using the links, easily. There are also author bios.

What’s blooming - Stella’s, Red Husker’s, Clustered Bellflower, Clematis, Yellow Primrose

Stella’s are just starting -

Red Husker’s are in full bloom -

Clustered Bellflower -

Clematis is just starting -

Yellow primrose are in full bloom -

Cup of Gold: A Life of Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer, with Occasional Reference to History by John Steinbeck (1929)

Cup of Gold: A Life of Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer, with Occasional Reference to History by John Steinbeck (1929), at last my hold came in and I was able to read Steinbeck’s first novel. It is historical fiction and it is a pirate story. 

Online lots of people say this pirate story is out of character with Steinbeck’s other books. I know what they mean, but I am not sure how they can say that, it was his first publication in 1929. At that point, historical fiction, buccaneers, was his style. His style evolved as he wrote.

I was able to increase the speed to 1.35 which allowed this 8+ hour book to finish in just under 6 hours. The voice was totally normal at 1.35, no chipmunks.

I looked for this book on my SuperSummary, but sadly, it was not listed. So instead I utilized blog posts to get me started. I was not worried about spoilers.

https://shereadsnovels.com/2022/10/27/cup-of-gold-by-john-steinbeck-1929club/

https://booksharkblog.wordpress.com/2018/12/11/cup-of-gold-by-john-steinbeck-review/

https://www.booklit.com/blog/2007/10/14/john-steinbeck-cup-of-gold/

Cup of Gold: A Life of Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer, with Occasional Reference to History by John Steinbeck (1929) was not a favorite of mine, but I did finish it. When I returned the audio book on Libby, one person was waiting for it. I think whoever these people are, we should form a discussion group. Others are clearly having a summer of Steinbeck also.

I maintain accounts on GoodReads and StoryGraph, thanks to youngest getting me organized. 

StoryGraph - 

In each book post, I utilize https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/

This is a wonderful website that helps clarify the publication order of books and verifies book series. I use this website because there are no spoilers. But if I need a description, I can click over using the links, easily. There are also author bios.