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I just finished The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Simply magical! I am so glad that I read this book. It has been way too long since I read a book that reminded me of why I loved reading fiction so much.
I am now starting The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I am taking a break from my Kindle right now because I think that there is something about that little gizmo that steals a bit of the joy of reading from me. I know the Kindle has a ton of advantages, but reading just isn't the same. I might regret my timing for this little Kindle break though because The Goldfinch is a chunky, heavy hardback!
I downloaded The Goldfinch on the Kindle app a few weeks ago but unwisely choose to read The Abominable first.
(I am thinking of giving up. The story seems to start at Part 2, after page 259, but I am not sure I care any longer)
Have any of you read Unsaid by Neil something cant remember his last name right now but that is one of my top 5 books and I was so enthralled by this book I mean any book that can make me cry is a winner in my mind . I mean I went through some tissues on that book . OMG to the max so if you have never read please do so you will not regret it .
It's on my list but I haven't gotten to it yet. (Neil Abramson )
OK, I have now read about 60 pages of "Wolf Hall", and I'm going to go way out on a limb. I haven't read a writer like Hillary Mantel since (are you ready?) Tolstoy. The sheer depth and enormity of what is in her mind, as the author of this work, brings to mind Anna Karenina.
I haven't read Anna Karenina (yet), but I went out on a limb and reserved this from the local library when I discovered that they didn't have the Kindle edition. It was ready for pickup, today. I stopped there tonight on my way home.
It's a freaking TOME!
I know you said "sheer depth and enormity" but I was thinking that was in reference to the writing -- not the book itself!
Okay, so then I peeked inside and saw that it WAS the large print edition, so that's something -- but DANG! I have to finish it in the next three weeks and I still have at least a quarter remaining on "Chatterton."
That's what I get for leaping without looking, AGAIN.
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
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Remember when I said that I was going to start a book called Being Esther? Well, I stopped bothering at about 25% (of this very short book) because I couldn't care less about Esther.
I have a bunch of other books that I *hope* will be good, including The Goldfinch and This House is Haunted, but I have a busy weekend planned. I'll start something next week when the cobwebs of the book-duds that I started (and tossed) have been cleared.
Just finished Sycamore Row by John Grisham and loved it, great read with a wild plot twist or two. Loved meeting up with Jake, Harry Rex, Lucien, Ozzie et al again, I could live with a series of this crew!
Just started reading Faery Tale: One Woman's Search for Enchantment in a Modern World https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8411324-faery-tale. My brother who works with the author's mother mailed me the book as he knows I like Celtic-type topics. I'm enjoying it so far. (just wish he'd given it to me on my Kindle as these old eyes struggle with the small print in books.
Right now I'm reading " The Growing Seasons, An American boyhood before the War" by Samuel Hynes. Very well written. I just finished reading " An Unexpected Light" by Jason Elliot. It was his story of his journeys across Afghanistan in the 90's. An amazing read showing the contrasts between then and now in that war-torn country. To me, it was very thought-provoking.
I started listening to "Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War," by Tony Horwitz yesterday and Tony is becoming a favored author for me. I also listened to his "A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World" some time back and liked it. He has a flair for fleshing out the facts of a historic event with the public sentiments of the time, and private observations from personal diaries that have been preserved in archives. He must be a fascinating person to talk to, if he ever has the time to talk away from his research and travels.
As for the story, it has a personal connection for me because my mother often sang the ballad of John Brown while I was growing up, and we had the fortunate opportunity to visit Harper's Ferry while traveling. I think this bit of history is important for all American citizens, of all colors and religions. Perhaps we need a (non-violent) John Brown today.
"An Unexpected Light" by Jason Elliot. It was his story of his journeys across Afghanistan in the 90's. An amazing read showing the contrasts between then and now in that war-torn country. To me, it was very thought-provoking.
An Unexpected Light is one of my all time favorite books. I laughed, cried and totally fell in love with it. Elliot is an exceptional writer and conveyed so much in the book.
I heard a great interview on NPR yesterday with a journalist who decided to read a book from every country recognized by the U.N. in a year. Her list and reviews are attached. Thought you might all enjoy her story and her fascinating list!
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A Year of Reading the World
