I'm currently re-reading Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. I also have far too many books checked out from the library right now: The Lotus Shoes, Jade City, The Third Wife of Faraday House. And for nonfiction, I have Pure (about the evangelical purity culture), Friends, and Stay True (a memoir).
As usual, my want-to-read list is far longer than my ability to keep up. Oh well.
I've seen this book at the library; its formidable size and miniature fonts prevented me from tackling it. I've read a bit of the beginning but did not continue. Is it really worth plowing through it, plus its piles of footnotes? :)
I've recently acquired a used Murakami's short story, The Elephant Vanishes. It's his only fiction book that I have yet to read. Another book I am rereading is James and the Giant Peach—one of my favorites as a child because I'm reading it to my son. I can't wait to read it to him every other evening before bedtime, and I am so happy he is enamored.
My new morning ritual (and natural anti-depressant) is reading Cesare Pavese's Tutte le poesie - in Italian. A poem a day, with my dictionary at hand. Quite a bit of work, but so much beauty!
Oh wow, that sounds beautiful, Imola. I used to read a Yeats poem to Elliot every morning, but stopped doing that a while ago. You've inspired me to try again.
I am reading 4 3 2 1 by Paul Aster this summer, which is a story about a boy who lives four different parallel lives. I am also reading MIDDLEMARCH with Haley Larsen's Substack @closely reading. Then I want to fit in some shorter weirder books in between 😃🤓
I'm reading so many things--as usual! Here is a short list: doing a book club of LMM Montgomery so rereading Emily of New Moon, my fav as a child, and really enjoying approaching it as an adult. (Also rereading ALL the Anne books--I'm up to Ingleside) Also reading NT Wright's Surprised by Hope, so good. And Springtime in a Broken Mirror by Mario Benedetti (barely started so no opinion yet) and rereading Their Eyes were Watching God, because I remember loving it in college and it was due for a reread. Up next another college fav, Julian of Norwich, and also finally going to read Piranesi, which is another by Susanna Clarke. I read Strange and Norrell during covid and enjoyed it very much, but it's not on my reread list for the year. (Oh who I am kidding? I am governed by mood). We are getting a vacation this year (unusual for us) because our son who lives in Iceland has produced (with much help from his wife) our first grandbaby, so my kindle will get good use in July when we're there, so I imagine I'll read lots of murder mysteries and maybe some Icelandic fiction. Aside from your comment, Tiffany, about Strange and Norrell, I am unfamiliar with all other books mentioned so far in comments, so have nothing to add about them. Pure sounds intriguing though. I just skirted the edges of purity culture because I am old. I'm thankful for that, but I still had recovery work to do.
Summer is such a good time to read LMM Montgomery. I recently re-read the first Anne book. I'm sad to say I've never read Emily of New Moon even though it's been on my list for ages.
Piranesi is beautiful, though very different from Strange & Norrell. I love both in their own way.
Congratulations on your first grandbaby! Have a wonderful time in Iceland.
I am reading K is for Killer by Sue Grafton. Every novel has the mystery of what it is about that the writer and than the reader need to figure out. And there are general ways seen with how to write a cliche or overused character In a different way and best order to release or withhold necessary information.
Quirky and fun books are a great way to destimulate from too much serious stuff like when one checks the news.
Picking the books to read on vacation is one thing and actually reading them in order is another. But reading one book that you have really wanted to read at some point might be a good strategy.
I agree with that, Larry. Light books are necessary as much as heavy and thought-provoking ones are. And often, "light" books contain more poignancy than we imagine. There's also nothing wrong with reading to escape when we need it.
Ah! I'm the first one. I'm currently reading The Elephant Keeper's Children by Peter Høeg and enjoying it a lot. It's quirky and fun but still touches on some deeper topics through the perspective of a 14-year-old boy.
I have no idea what I'll read next. In two weeks, we travel for vacation so pretty soon, I will have to make some important decisions about which books to take with me. Looking forward to reading other comments for some recommendations.
Oh yes, I can imagine the same thing happening to me! And also: bringing a bunch of books along, then finding some more in a local bookstore or used books store or something like that.
What are you reading this summer?
I'm currently re-reading Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. I also have far too many books checked out from the library right now: The Lotus Shoes, Jade City, The Third Wife of Faraday House. And for nonfiction, I have Pure (about the evangelical purity culture), Friends, and Stay True (a memoir).
As usual, my want-to-read list is far longer than my ability to keep up. Oh well.
I've seen this book at the library; its formidable size and miniature fonts prevented me from tackling it. I've read a bit of the beginning but did not continue. Is it really worth plowing through it, plus its piles of footnotes? :)
This is impressive enough Tiffany!
Thanks, dear friend!
Jonathan Strange is a top tier choice - enjoy!!
Thank you! I love this book.
I've recently acquired a used Murakami's short story, The Elephant Vanishes. It's his only fiction book that I have yet to read. Another book I am rereading is James and the Giant Peach—one of my favorites as a child because I'm reading it to my son. I can't wait to read it to him every other evening before bedtime, and I am so happy he is enamored.
My new morning ritual (and natural anti-depressant) is reading Cesare Pavese's Tutte le poesie - in Italian. A poem a day, with my dictionary at hand. Quite a bit of work, but so much beauty!
Oh wow, that sounds beautiful, Imola. I used to read a Yeats poem to Elliot every morning, but stopped doing that a while ago. You've inspired me to try again.
I am reading 4 3 2 1 by Paul Aster this summer, which is a story about a boy who lives four different parallel lives. I am also reading MIDDLEMARCH with Haley Larsen's Substack @closely reading. Then I want to fit in some shorter weirder books in between 😃🤓
Those sound like such different books, Natalie! Is it your first time reading Middlemarch? I hope you enjoy it.
yes first time, so far so good :)
I'm reading so many things--as usual! Here is a short list: doing a book club of LMM Montgomery so rereading Emily of New Moon, my fav as a child, and really enjoying approaching it as an adult. (Also rereading ALL the Anne books--I'm up to Ingleside) Also reading NT Wright's Surprised by Hope, so good. And Springtime in a Broken Mirror by Mario Benedetti (barely started so no opinion yet) and rereading Their Eyes were Watching God, because I remember loving it in college and it was due for a reread. Up next another college fav, Julian of Norwich, and also finally going to read Piranesi, which is another by Susanna Clarke. I read Strange and Norrell during covid and enjoyed it very much, but it's not on my reread list for the year. (Oh who I am kidding? I am governed by mood). We are getting a vacation this year (unusual for us) because our son who lives in Iceland has produced (with much help from his wife) our first grandbaby, so my kindle will get good use in July when we're there, so I imagine I'll read lots of murder mysteries and maybe some Icelandic fiction. Aside from your comment, Tiffany, about Strange and Norrell, I am unfamiliar with all other books mentioned so far in comments, so have nothing to add about them. Pure sounds intriguing though. I just skirted the edges of purity culture because I am old. I'm thankful for that, but I still had recovery work to do.
Summer is such a good time to read LMM Montgomery. I recently re-read the first Anne book. I'm sad to say I've never read Emily of New Moon even though it's been on my list for ages.
Piranesi is beautiful, though very different from Strange & Norrell. I love both in their own way.
Congratulations on your first grandbaby! Have a wonderful time in Iceland.
I am reading K is for Killer by Sue Grafton. Every novel has the mystery of what it is about that the writer and than the reader need to figure out. And there are general ways seen with how to write a cliche or overused character In a different way and best order to release or withhold necessary information.
Quirky and fun books are a great way to destimulate from too much serious stuff like when one checks the news.
Picking the books to read on vacation is one thing and actually reading them in order is another. But reading one book that you have really wanted to read at some point might be a good strategy.
I agree with that, Larry. Light books are necessary as much as heavy and thought-provoking ones are. And often, "light" books contain more poignancy than we imagine. There's also nothing wrong with reading to escape when we need it.
Ah! I'm the first one. I'm currently reading The Elephant Keeper's Children by Peter Høeg and enjoying it a lot. It's quirky and fun but still touches on some deeper topics through the perspective of a 14-year-old boy.
I have no idea what I'll read next. In two weeks, we travel for vacation so pretty soon, I will have to make some important decisions about which books to take with me. Looking forward to reading other comments for some recommendations.
You know what's funny? I brought a bunch of books with me on our last trip and ended up not wanting to read any of them. Why am I like this??
Oh yes, I can imagine the same thing happening to me! And also: bringing a bunch of books along, then finding some more in a local bookstore or used books store or something like that.
Yes! That happened......