What’s the word?
2008 June 16
I noticed last night on my Mom’s dining room table that there was a stack of books she had checked out from the library. She told me today she has been inspired to start reading some of the books she’s “been wanting to for so long but just hasn’t for no particular reason!” Go Mom!
AND….my good friend Wendy has been seen with some Classic Literature in hand at park days and ballet exams and here and there and I do believe she has caught the reading bug!
Gwendolyn’s rolling her eyes thinking, “Who doesn’t read for fun??” So – we aren’t going to include her in on this fun post….
But if you’ve been reading fiction books lately – leave a little note and say hi! Tell us what’s in front of your nose before bedtime at night!
Yes, I still read for fun. I somehow managed to never let motherhood get in the way of that for too long. I still stay up all night reading.
Even sometimes drivel. Although, I should say that I really loved the last Louisa May Alcott book I read, The Inheritance. It wasn’t published until recent years, but is apparently, the author’s first novel, written at age 17. It’s not a long read either. If you are looking for something sweet and romantic, but not completely about romance, I highly recommend it.
Cool Gwendlolyn! I love Louisa May Alcott! Last Christmas (2008), I purchased two small novels by her to give to Sarah and Mandy. I can’t remember the names but they are also two previously unpublished or “lost” novels, both very short in length, but good reads. I was hoping Sarah and Mandy would read and then exchange, don’t know if they have. You should ask Sarah if you can borrow hers … (hee hee, of course I read them before I passed them on as gifts — very bad, I know — but that’s what happens when gifts stay in the car too long before finally making it to the ole p.o.!)
Oh, I am soooo glad you invited us to leave a comment about what we are reading because I was already fretting about trying to set up another blog addie just to capture my list of books and reviews! I actually thought about this…just leaving comments on your blog…makes more sense!
Anyway, I actually have been reading stacks of books since last year when I was in Indy…they have really wonderful libraries there…and, of course, it was an affordable activity! One of my goals is to go back through my journals (at some point) and recapture the book titles I read last year. But, forever forward! I am very much enjoying my apartment … no cable and a lot of alone time is very conducive to reading lots of books. I’ve been in a quandry about what to pick out at the library though until I finally remembered my stashes of lists of ‘want to reads someday’. I began checking all my hidden places for stashes and came up with quite a reading list! So, I’ve been having fun on the library website putting books on hold!
I’ve finished three books since Saturday .. well, almost three .. the last one is only 3/4 completed.
The first one I started Saturday and finished Sunday night. It was an easy read. I got it from work (Family Christian Store) — we get free books from publishers about once a quarter to review. This one is by Virginia Smith, titled: Stuck in the Middle. I read it just because the cover looked interesting. It’s a Christian fiction and a pretty easy read, lots of dialogue, no lengthy sentence construction here. It isn’t the typical kind of book I pick, but it was relaxing and all about relationships within the family unit so I did enjoy it for light reading and semi-contemplation about my own family members and how we all get along…or don’t get along as the case may be!
I do like keeping up with Christian authors to see how they weave in their faith into common stories. Even though the writing is usually a bit more simplified than what I like to read, I do think their styles, themes and contents do have a valuable place in reading circles. Simplified food for thought has its merits!
The second book I read this week is a book of poetry entitled, God Particles by Thomas Lux. I liked the title, the jacket, the summary overview on the inside flap and I thought the picture of the author portrayed someone happy with himself, so I checked it out. I just happened to find it on the new release stand at Semmes. It is only 61 pages in length. The author is a bit satirical…understatement! Some people might be offended at some of his comments and imagery, but overall I found his style interesting and there were two poems in particular that I really did like and would read again and perhaps even quote in a future blog. You should be warned though that his thoughts and the way he expresses them are not for the meek of mind.
The third book I am now reading is so delightful and filled with British humor. The title: The Uncommon Reader. The author: Alan Bennett. Again, there may be some thematic comments that are disagreeable to some but, the dialogue is witty, clever, humorous. It is such a timely story for me right now because I am in the same predicament as the central character – rediscovery! The plot: The Queen discovers a mobile library parked near Buckingham palace one day and becomes interested in reading, which apparently, is not something she is accustomed to doing. The funny part ensues when her new interest begins to affect all those around her—her counterparts, her servants, her subjects! Everyone seems to be affected by whatever the Queen does – and this new interest in reading doesn’t set well with most around her. It really upsets their apple carts, so to speak, in the most humurous of ways. As she reads more and more, her views of the world, her position in that world, her precepts of people, places, all change, and she is quite surprised at all that she discovers. I find this little book quite timely and can’t wait to finish it. Again, I just liked the title, the cover and the synopsis, and, like ‘God Particles’, found it on the new release stand at Semmes. Check it out…it’s delightful…I wish they would make it into a show for PBS…Judy Densch (Mother in all the 007 movies, the queen in Shakespeare in Love) would be perfect to play the queen!
Happy summer reading everyone!
Addendum comment regarding ‘The Uncommon Reader’ … I just have 45 pages left this morning to completion! I would have finished but last night as I was reading, it occurred to me how delightful this book would be to read aloud. And, since reading aloud is one of my favourite (I know you think that is a wrong spelling but, it is actually NOT!) things to do, and since I am quite good at voice inflection and enunciation, and have a bit of a dramatic flair, reading aloud works quite well. And, notwithstanding, one of my goals for the future is to find someplace to read aloud to adults, and maybe children, we’ll see. I do read aloud to my grandchildren, although it is hard to find a book that their dear mother has not already introduced them to (of which I am quite happy!). I don’t think my children remember all the hours we spent together when they were young reading aloud to one another. They never mention it but no matter. I remember and it brings sweet memories for me to carry along. When they grew older (teens), they lost interest in having me read out loud and would only tolerate short stints at the dinner table which was few and far between … it was difficult to keep them in close proximity during those years. LOL, at Christmas, they would groan if I mentioned I had found a perfect book for Christmas Eve, and slowly, but surely, for a while, I had to prey upon friends and neighbors (or, neighbours) to indulge me. I should write a post on my on blog about this. Didn’t mean to get so lengthy…back to the point of my comment:
So, I didn’t finish the book last night because I started it over and read aloud to myself for practice! This is definitely a book I would like to own. It is also a book for which one might want a notebook and dictionary handy for there are some really delightful and uncommonly used words that if not understood will rob the reader of full enjoyment of this story. I’m sure I’m going to post something on my blog about this book, including a list of some of the words and definitions.
The real point here is to simply say: In the future, if anyone should desire to purchase a gift for me, for a formal or informal occasion, this little book would be a perfect gift! LOL
I so wish I knew how to link this to my blog…I’m sure it’s simple…but, as usual, I’m off to other pressing tasks for the day!
Yes, you have inspired me to start reading more books than I already was…along with a movie I saw recently–the motivation to read all the Jane Austen books you mentioned!
I have now read some of the ones you mentioned also. Now I just need to get around to posting my comments/reviews or at least the list, on my blog(s)!
Thanks for the inspiration friend! My husband thinks I am bonkers and that I never do anything but read now…! Like that’s different than I have ever been! I love to read..always have!